Brilliant Blue G

Brilliant Blue G‏‎ (also known as E133 or FD&C Blue No. 1) is a synthetic dye produced from petroleum. It is one of the nine certified color additives approved by the FDA for use in foods, drugs, cosmetics, and certain medical devices in the United States.

History

Brilliant Blue G was first synthesized in the late 19th century as part of a range of dyes known as Triarylmethane dyes. It was later approved for use in food products in the United States in 1929.

Production

The production of Brilliant Blue G involves the reaction of benzene with sulfuric acid, followed by oxidation and coupling with sodium nitrite. The resulting product is then purified and dried to produce the final dye.

Uses

Brilliant Blue G is used in a variety of products due to its bright blue color. It is commonly used in food products such as ice cream, canned processed peas, packet soups, bottled food colorings, icings, and blue raspberry flavored products. It is also used in soaps, shampoos, mouthwash and other cosmetics.

In addition to its use as a colorant, Brilliant Blue G has also been used in medical applications. It has been used as a diagnostic tool in surgeries to color certain tissues for easy identification. It has also been used in research studies investigating its potential neuroprotective effects.

Safety and regulations

The safety of Brilliant Blue G has been extensively studied. The FDA has set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) level for Brilliant Blue G. In the European Union, Brilliant Blue G is listed as E133 and is approved for use in certain food and beverage categories.

See also

• Food coloring
• E number
• Food and Drug Administration