Blue Lake #2

FD&C Blue No. 2 Lake is a synthetic food coloring that gives foods a blue color. It is made from petroleum. The "Lake" form means it is an insoluble pigment, which makes it useful for coloring products that contain fats or oils, or for coatings.

Manufacturers add FD&C Blue No. 2 Lake to food to provide a blue color. It is commonly found in candies, baked goods, snacks, and coatings for nuts or popcorn.

FD&C Blue No. 2 Lake is an FDA-approved color additive. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Blue 2. JECFA has evaluated Indigotine (Blue 2) and set an acceptable daily intake. Some studies have explored potential links between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in children, but the evidence is mixed.