Blue Food Coloring

Blue food coloring is a broad term for substances used to give foods a blue hue. These can be natural pigments extracted from plants, such as spirulina, or synthetic dyes created in a laboratory. The most common synthetic blue food colorings are Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) and Blue 2 (Indigotine).

Manufacturers add blue food coloring to make foods visually appealing or to meet consumer expectations for certain products. It is frequently found in candies, beverages, baked goods, and snack foods like popcorn and snack mixes.

In the United States, synthetic blue food colorings like Blue 1 and Blue 2 are approved by the FDA as food additives. However, in April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Blue 1 and Blue 2. International bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated many synthetic food colorings and set acceptable daily intake levels. Some studies have suggested a link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in some children, though the evidence is mixed and more research is ongoing.