Brilliant Blue FCF

Synthetic triarylmethane dye (disodium salt of ethyl[4-[4-[ethyl[(3-sulfonatophenyl)methyl]amino]-2-sulfonatobenzylidene]cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene](3-sulfonatophenyl)ammonium).

Blue coloring in confectionery, ice cream, and beverages; often combined with yellow dyes to produce green.

Low absorption; largely excreted unchanged. Limited systemic exposure at food-use levels.

Rare allergic reactions. Generally considered low risk at ADI.

Permitted in specified EU food categories.

Brilliant Blue FCF is approved in the U.S. as the certified color FD&C Blue No. 1. It requires FDA batch certification and is commonly blended with yellow dyes to produce green shades. U.S. and EU both permit this dye, but U.S. labeling uses the FD&C name rather than the E number.

Food-category maximum levels in EU Annex II Part E.

0–6 mg/kg body weight per day (JECFA).