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ColourINS 133
E133
Brilliant Blue FCF
What you need to know
Brilliant Blue is a synthetic blue colour (FD&C Blue 1). It is used in sweets, drinks and ice creams, and blended with yellow to make greens.
It is not one of the “Southampton Six” colours, but it is often used alongside them in brightly coloured products. Regulators consider it safe at permitted levels.
Like all synthetic colours, it is purely cosmetic.
Where it stands, by region
The same additive can be approved in one country and banned in another. This is the divergence that matters most.
| 🇦🇺AU / NZ | Approved Permitted (FSANZ Food Standards Code). |
| 🇪🇺EU | Approved Permitted (EFSA). |
| 🇺🇸US | Approved Permitted (FDA). |
| 🇨🇦CA | Approved Permitted (Health Canada). |
Health evidence
How settled the science is for each area — not how dangerous. “Unknown” means not enough good studies yet.
Hyperactivity & behaviour
Unknown
Allergy & intolerance
Suspected
Gut microbiome
Unknown
Metabolic effects
Unknown
Carcinogenicity
Unknown
Cardiovascular
Unknown
A triarylmethane dye. ADI 6 mg/kg bw/day (EFSA 2010).
Synthesis: SyntheticADI 6 mg/kg bw/day