Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) in Candy: What You Should Know
Blue 1 is one of the most common artificial dyes in American candy. Here's what it is, where it's found, and what the research says about its safety.
Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) in Candy: What You Should Know
Walk down the candy aisle and you'll notice something: blue isn't a color that occurs naturally in most foods. Yet blue candy is everywhere — gummy bears, hard candy, lollipops, cotton candy, cake frosting. Almost all of that blue comes from a single synthetic dye: FD&C Blue No. 1, also known as Brilliant Blue FCF or E133 in Europe.
Here's what the research says about this widely used additive.
What Is Blue 1?
Blue 1 is a synthetic dye derived from petroleum (coal tar). It was approved by the FDA in 1969 and has been in continuous use since then. It's one of only seven FD&C color additives currently approved for use in food in the United States.
You'll find it listed on ingredient labels as:
- FD&C Blue No. 1
- Blue 1
- Brilliant Blue FCF
- E133 (European designation)
- CI 42090
Where Blue 1 Shows Up
Blue 1 is used in a wide range of products beyond candy:
- Candy: Blue and green gummy bears, jawbreakers, lollipops, cotton candy, candy-coated chocolates
- Beverages: Sports drinks, sodas, flavored waters
- Frozen treats: Popsicles, ice cream, frozen yogurt
- Baked goods: Frosting, cake mixes, decorating gels
- Cereals: Colored cereal pieces and marshmallow bits
- Non-food: Mouthwash, toothpaste, shampoo, medications
When combined with Yellow 5, Blue 1 creates green — which is why it appears in many "green apple" or "lime" flavored products.
What Research Says About Blue 1
Blue 1 has been studied less extensively than some other food dyes like Red 40. Here's what the available research shows:
The 2007 Southampton Study — the landmark study that led to EU warning labels on six artificial dyes — did not include Blue 1 in its tested mixtures. So Blue 1 was not part of the evidence that prompted European regulatory action.
Absorption and excretion: Most ingested Blue 1 passes through the digestive system without being absorbed. Studies show that approximately 95% is excreted unchanged. However, a small fraction is absorbed, and some researchers have raised questions about what happens at the cellular level.
Hospital feeding concerns: In 2003, the FDA issued a public health advisory after reports of toxicity in critically ill patients who were fed through tubes containing Blue 1. Several patients developed blue-tinged skin, and some deaths were reported. The FDA recommended against adding Blue 1 to enteral feeding solutions — though this is a very different exposure pathway than eating candy.
Potential sensitivity: Some individuals report sensitivity reactions to Blue 1, including hives and respiratory symptoms, though documented cases are relatively rare compared to reactions from Red 40 or Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.
How Blue 1 Compares to Other Dyes
| Dye | Status | Southampton Study | EU Warning Required | |-----|--------|-------------------|---------------------| | Red 40 | FDA approved | Not in original study | Yes (Allura Red / E129) | | Red 3 | FDA banned (2025) | Not tested | Not widely used in EU | | Yellow 5 | FDA approved | Tested | Yes (Tartrazine / E102) | | Yellow 6 | FDA approved | Tested | Yes (Sunset Yellow / E110) | | Blue 1 | FDA approved | Not tested | No | | Blue 2 | FDA approved | Not tested | No |
Blue 1 is notable for not being subject to the EU's mandatory warning label requirement — which sets it apart from Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6. However, many European manufacturers still replaced it with natural alternatives as part of broader reformulations.
Natural Alternatives to Blue 1
Achieving blue without synthetic dyes is one of the harder challenges in food manufacturing. The primary natural alternatives are:
- Spirulina extract (phycocyanin) — the most common natural blue, derived from blue-green algae. FDA-approved for use in candy and other foods.
- Butterfly pea flower — produces a vivid blue that shifts to purple with acidity changes. Used in beverages and some confections.
- Red cabbage extract — can produce blue-purple hues depending on pH.
- Huito fruit extract — a newer natural blue option gaining regulatory approval.
At USA Gummies, we use spirulina extract for our blue and green shades. It delivers a clean blue without any synthetic chemistry.
The Bottom Line
Blue 1 hasn't been linked to the same behavioral concerns as the "Southampton Six" dyes. But it's still a petroleum-derived synthetic colorant, and the 2003 feeding tube advisory showed it's not completely inert. For parents who prefer to avoid synthetic dyes altogether — whether due to specific sensitivities or a general preference for cleaner ingredients — natural alternatives like spirulina exist and work well.
The simplest approach: read the ingredient label. If it lists Blue 1, Brilliant Blue, or E133, the product uses synthetic color. If it lists spirulina, vegetable juice, or fruit extract, it doesn't.
Want gummy bears colored with spirulina instead of Blue 1? Shop USA Gummies — all natural colors from fruit and vegetable extracts, made in the USA.
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