Blue Lakes 1 & 2

Blue Lakes 1 & 2 are color additives used to impart a blue hue to food products. They are pigments created by combining the synthetic dyes FD&C Blue No. 1 and FD&C Blue No. 2 with an insoluble base, typically aluminum hydroxide. This process makes the color water-insoluble, which is useful for specific applications.

These lakes are primarily used to add blue color to a wide range of foods. Their insoluble nature makes them suitable for products where color bleeding is undesirable, such as in baking mixes, cookies, icings, and dessert toppings.

Blue Lakes 1 & 2 are approved by the FDA as color additives for use in food. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated the parent dyes (Blue 1 and Blue 2) and established acceptable daily intakes. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also evaluated these dyes. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Blue 1 and Blue 2, which would impact their lake forms. Some research has explored potential links between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in children, but the evidence is mixed and not definitive.