E131: Patent blue v

What is E131?

E131 is Patent Blue V, a synthetic blue dye belonging to the triarylmethane family. It gives bright blue shades and, combined with yellow colours, can create greens.

Origin and production

Patent Blue V is produced entirely by chemical synthesis and is usually supplied as its calcium or sodium salt. It is not derived from plants or animals.

Why is it used?

It is used to colour sweets, gummy candies and sour gummies, sweet snacks and soft drinks, and it is also used to dye the shells of boiled Easter eggs. Outside food, the same dye is used in medicine to mark lymphatic vessels during certain procedures.

Vegan, vegetarian and halal

E131 is synthetic and suitable for vegans and vegetarians as a substance. It raises no particular halal or kosher concerns, although the foods it colours, such as gummies, may contain gelatine.

Safety and regulation

Patent Blue V is authorised as a food colour in the European Union, with maximum levels for specific foods, but it is not permitted in the United States. In its re-evaluation, EFSA identified a risk of exceeding the acceptable daily intake for some population groups, and rare allergic reactions have been reported.

Common in