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

FactorYellow 5 (Tartrazine)Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)
E-NumberE102E133
CategoryArtificial ColorArtificial Color
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved. Since 1979, FDA requires Yellow 5 to be specifically listed on food labels (21 CFR 74.705) due to potentia…FDA-approved since 1969 (21 CFR 74.101). Listed as a certified color additive. Subject to batch certification by the FDA…
EFSA StatusEFSA re-evaluated in 2009, maintaining an ADI of 7.5 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires the same warning label as Red 40…EFSA re-evaluated in 2010 and established an ADI of 6 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires warning labels on products cont…
Banned In——
Products Found2623

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)

Which Products Use Each?

26
products contain Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
23
products contain Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse than the other based on current data.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) or Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) worse?
Both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)?
Both are artificial colors. Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 26 products. Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 23 products.
Are Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) banned?
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is not currently banned in any major market. Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) 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
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Deep Dive Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) 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). "Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-blue-1
MLA"Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-blue-1.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-blue-1">Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsyellow5vsblue1, title = {Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-blue-1}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }