E133 - Brilliant Blue FCF

E133 - BLU BRILLIANT FCF (CI 42090)

Brilliant blue FCF is a synthetic type dye, very soluble in water, which looks like a blue powder. It is a pigment that comes from the liquid of coal distillation to obtain coke. It can be combined with tartrazine (E102) to obtain various shades of green.

It is often found in ice cream, canned peas, dairy products, desserts and soft drinks.

According to some studies, it could be harmful to children; in infancy it is therefore not recommended to administer foods containing this dye.

It can cause hyperactivity, nausea, hives, insomnia. It was found that, in high concentrations, it could cause sedimentation in the kidney and at the level of the lymphatic vessels.

Once, the use of bright blue FCF was prohibited in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, but following further analysis it was declared a non-harmful additive by the Union European, and is currently permitted in most countries.

ADI DOSE: 5 mg per kg of body weight.