Blue Lake #1

FD&C Blue No. 1 Lake is a synthetic color additive derived from petroleum. It is an insoluble form of FD&C Blue No. 1, made by combining the dye with a metallic salt, usually aluminum hydroxide. This process creates a pigment that is stable in fats and oils.

Manufacturers add FD&C Blue No. 1 Lake to give foods a blue color. Because it is insoluble, it is often used in products with fats and oils, such as candies, baked goods, and snack foods.

FD&C Blue No. 1 Lake is an FDA-approved color additive for use in food. Some studies have suggested a link between synthetic food dyes, including Blue No. 1, and hyperactivity in some children, though evidence is mixed. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated Blue No. 1 and set an acceptable daily intake. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has also evaluated it and set an acceptable daily intake. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes Blue No. 1.