Digestoa
Additive · Colour

Brilliant Blue FCF (E133)

Brilliant Blue FCF (E133) is a colour that Digestoa flags as moderate risk. Common concerns include hyperactivity (some studies).

Digestoa riskModerate risk
TypeColour
Found inbrightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts
ConcernsHyperactivity (some studies)

What is Brilliant Blue FCF?

Brilliant Blue FCF (E133) is a colour — added to give food a specific colour.

Is Brilliant Blue FCF bad for you?

Digestoa flags Brilliant Blue FCF as moderate risk. Regulators permit it, but safety reviews and studies have raised concerns including hyperactivity (some studies). How often you eat it matters more than a single exposure.

What foods contain Brilliant Blue FCF?

Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.

Digestoa's take

You don't need to panic over a single product that contains Brilliant Blue FCF. But it's a useful flag: when you see E133 on a label it often signals a more processed product, and there's usually a cleaner alternative.

Safer swaps

Choose products coloured with natural extracts like beetroot (E162), paprika (E160c) or turmeric (E100).

Frequently asked questions

Is E133 the same as Brilliant Blue FCF?
Yes — E133 is the international additive (E-number) code for Brilliant Blue FCF.
Is Brilliant Blue FCF bad for you?
Digestoa flags Brilliant Blue FCF (E133) as moderate risk. It's permitted in food, but it's associated with concerns such as hyperactivity (some studies).
What are the side effects of Brilliant Blue FCF?
Reported concerns include: Hyperactivity (some studies).
What foods contain Brilliant Blue FCF?
Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.
How can I avoid Brilliant Blue FCF?
Check the ingredients list for "Brilliant Blue FCF" or "E133", or scan the product with Digestoa to see if it's present before you buy.

Related colour additives

Titanium dioxide (E171)Tartrazine (E102)Quinoline Yellow (E104)Sunset Yellow FCF (E110)Azorubine / Carmoisine (E122)Ponceau 4R (E124)

Risk ratings reflect Digestoa's editorial assessment synthesising EFSA/IARC opinions and peer-reviewed research. Informational only — not medical advice.