Including Blue 1 Lake

Blue 1 Lake is a synthetic color additive. It is a 'lake' pigment, which means the primary dye (Blue 1, also known as Brilliant Blue FCF) is combined with an insoluble material, typically aluminum hydroxide. This process creates a color that is more stable and less likely to bleed in certain food products compared to the water-soluble dye form.

Manufacturers add Blue 1 Lake to give foods a blue color. It is often used in products that contain fats or oils, or where color migration is a concern, such as in candies, baked goods, snack coatings, and frostings.

Blue 1 Lake is an FDA-approved color additive for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes Blue 1. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated Blue 1 and set an acceptable daily intake. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also evaluated Blue 1. Some research has explored a possible link between artificial food colors, including Blue 1, and hyperactivity in some children, but the evidence is mixed and not conclusive across all studies.