Brilliant blue FCF
Other names E133, FD&C Blue No. 1
Brilliant blue FCF: moderate in histamine. If you're sensitive to any of these, check it against your profile before eating.
Intolerances
- Histamine (+liberators / DAO inhibitors)Moderate
Brilliant blue FCF (E133) is the blue of iced drinks, sports drinks and novelty sweets. Very little of it is absorbed - most passes through unchanged - which is one reason the reported reactions are fewer than for the azo colours. It is on the elimination list as part of the colour class. None of this is about histamine content: a colour carries none. Colours are on this page because the pseudoallergen-free elimination diet removes them as a class, and that diet is itself unproven in double-blind trials.
Sources· 2
- Zuberbier et al., EAACI/GA2LEN urticaria guideline
- EFSA re-evaluations of food colours (2009-2016)
- TyramineNone
- SalicylateNone
Brilliant Blue FCF is a triarylmethane dye, not an azo dye, and nothing in that structure resembles salicylic acid — and it is that resemblance that puts tartrazine and the azo reds on this axis. The distinction is structural, not a measurement: no salicylate assay of a colourant is published.
- SucroseNone
- FODMAPsNone
- LactoseFODMAPsNone
- OligosaccharidesFODMAPsNone
- SorbitolFODMAPsNone
- FructoseFODMAPsNone
- NickelNone
- OxalatesNone
- GlutenNo
Intolerance levels are based on our documented scientific sources. See sources →
React to Histamine (+liberators / DAO inhibitors)? Check these too
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Frequently asked questions
Which intolerances does brilliant blue FCF affect?
Brilliant blue FCF is notable for histamine. Clear on tyramine, salicylate, sucrose, FODMAPs, lactose, oligosaccharides, sorbitol, fructose, nickel, oxalates and gluten.
Does brilliant blue FCF contain histamine?
Brilliant blue FCF contains moderate levels of histamine. Brilliant blue FCF (E133) is the blue of iced drinks, sports drinks and novelty sweets. Very little of it is absorbed - most passes through unchanged - which is one reason the reported reactions are fewer than for the azo colours. It is on the elimination list as part of the colour class. None of this is about histamine content: a colour carries none. Colours are on this page because the pseudoallergen-free elimination diet removes them as a class, and that diet is itself unproven in double-blind trials. Amounts vary by brand and recipe, so always check the label of the exact product.
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