Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse?

FactorBlue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
E-NumberE133E102
CategoryArtificial ColorArtificial Color
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)High Risk (8/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved since 1969 (21 CFR 74.101). Listed as a certified color additive. Subject to batch certification by the FDA…FDA-approved. Since 1979, FDA requires Yellow 5 to be specifically listed on food labels (21 CFR 74.705) due to potentia…
EFSA StatusEFSA re-evaluated in 2010 and established an ADI of 6 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires warning labels on products cont…EFSA re-evaluated in 2009, maintaining an ADI of 7.5 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires the same warning label as Red 40…
Banned In—Norway Austria
Products Found740777

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

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Which Products Use Each?

740
products contain Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)
777
products contain Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

⚖️ The Verdict

Based on severity scores, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) (8/10) poses a higher risk than Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) (6/10).

Both ingredients should be consumed mindfully. Use CheckIt AI to scan products and avoid whichever ones concern you most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) or Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) worse?
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) has a higher severity score (8/10) compared to Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) (6/10), making it the more concerning ingredient based on current regulatory and scientific data.
What is the difference between Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?
Both are artificial colors. Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 740 products. Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) has a severity of 8/10 and is found in 777 products.
Are Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) banned?
Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) is not currently banned in any major market. Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is banned in Norway, Austria.
How can I avoid both Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Pages

Related Comparisons

Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Titanium DioxideYellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs AnnattoYellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Red 3 (Erythrosine) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI)Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) vs Titanium DioxideBlue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) vs Annatto
Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) Deep Dive Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Deep Dive All 180 Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/blue-1-vs-yellow-5
MLA"Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-14. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/blue-1-vs-yellow-5.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/blue-1-vs-yellow-5">Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsblue1vsyellow5, title = {Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/blue-1-vs-yellow-5}, note = {Retrieved 2026-04-14} }