Blue 1 & 2

Blue 1 (also known as Brilliant Blue FCF) and Blue 2 (also known as Indigotine) are synthetic color additives. They are petroleum-based dyes produced through chemical synthesis to impart a blue hue.

These dyes are added to a wide range of foods to give them a blue color or to create other colors when mixed with other dyes. They are commonly found in candies, cereals, baked goods, beverages, and other processed foods to enhance their visual appeal.

Both Blue 1 and Blue 2 are approved by the FDA as color additives for use in food. JECFA has evaluated both dyes and set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for each, and EFSA has also evaluated them. Some scientific studies have explored a possible link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in some sensitive children, though the evidence is mixed and not all research agrees. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Blue 1 and Blue 2, from food products.