Blue #1 / Brilliant Blue / E133
Blue #2 / Indigo Carmine / E 132
At one time blue dye was added to potentially harmful liquid like window cleaners and freon (refrigerator fluid). The blue color was a warning that the liquid was not intended to be consumed. A lot has changed!
In 2003 the Food and Drug Administration alerted healthcare professionals to the dangers of using FD&C Blue No. 1 in enteral feeding solutions (in feeding tubes). Reported side effects include blue discoloration of the skin, urine, feces, serum, as well as more serious results, including death.
The way a food is ingested can make a big difference in how it affects a person.
If a synthetic dye is consumed in something like cereal or a beverage it may have a different effect than if it is in hard candies where there is prolonged exposure to the tongue and tissues inside the mouth.
Research published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicity (Hojerova 2013) evaluated two blue dyes: Brilliant Blue (known in the U.S. as Blue #1) and Patent Blue V (not permitted in the U.S. and some other countries.)
The researchers found that prolonged exposure on the tongue resulted in the dye seeping into the bloodstream, whereas dye in food that is swallowed is more likely to be destroyed by the gastrointestinal system.
Dyes banned from foods can still be used in drugs
They are listed (IF they are listed) under the names D&C number __. This means they are allowed in drugs and cosmetics, but not food.
Pharmacist Norman Tomaka notes that 40% of the population believes they are allergic to penicillin, when it’s actually about 10%, and the others are reacting to the dyes in the drugs.
Natural blue dyes are available to food manufacturers. One of these, spirulina, is a suitable alternative to Blue 2 and will expand the natural color options since mixing it with yellow will produce a vibrant, natural green.