Color Additive · EU 133
Brilliant Blue FCF
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Brilliant Blue FCF is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 3 out of 5 (Mixed Evidence), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #304 of 417.
- #304 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Brilliant Blue FCF is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #304 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (20th percentile).
- 3/5
- Mixed Evidence
- Approved
- FDA status
- #304 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Regulatory snapshot
Brilliant Blue FCF: composite 3/5 (Mixed Evidence) with FDA Approved and EU Approved.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 133 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Color Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 3 / 5 (Mixed Evidence) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 3 | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Brilliant Blue FCF?
BRILLIANT BLUE FCF -Blue 1- is an organic compound classified as a blue triarylmethane dye, reflecting its chemical structure. Known under various commercial names, it is a colorant for foods and other substances.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of Brilliant Blue FCF -E 133- as a food additive. EFSA overexposure risk: moderate
Common Uses
Catalog-profile peer axes
Nationwide catalog-profile peers for Brilliant Blue FCF
Product-count (3) and safety-score (3/5) peer columns, disjoint link sets.
Score 3/5 peers (≥50 OFF products)
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brilliant Blue FCF safe to consume?
Brilliant Blue FCF scores 3/5 (Mixed Evidence). FDA status is Approved. The mixed-evidence band means federal approval and remaining open questions coexist, read the health-concern and state-action rows before treating the score as a green light.
What is Brilliant Blue FCF used for in food?
Brilliant Blue FCF is commonly used as: Processed foods, beverages, confectionery. It belongs to the Color Additive category of food additives.
Where does Brilliant Blue FCF sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #304 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Brilliant Blue FCF?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Brilliant Blue FCF: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of Brilliant Blue FCF -E 133- as a food additive. EFSA overexposure risk: moderate. These findings inform its safety score of 3/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.