Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse?

FactorRed 40 (Allura Red AC)Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)
E-NumberE129E133
CategoryArtificial ColorArtificial Color
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved since 1971. Currently under review as part of the 2025-2026 FDA food dye reassessment. Listed on the FDA's …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 and maintained approval with an ADI of 7 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires warning label: 'ma…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 Found2823

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Red 40 (Allura Red AC)

Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)

Which Products Use Each?

28
products contain Red 40 (Allura Red AC)
23
products contain Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Red 40 (Allura Red AC) 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 Red 40 (Allura Red AC) or Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) worse?
Both Red 40 (Allura Red AC) 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 Red 40 (Allura Red AC) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)?
Both are artificial colors. Red 40 (Allura Red AC) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 28 products. Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 23 products.
Are Red 40 (Allura Red AC) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) banned?
Red 40 (Allura Red AC) 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 Red 40 (Allura Red AC) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Red 40 (Allura Red AC) 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 Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine)Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI)Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Titanium DioxideRed 40 (Allura Red AC) vs AnnattoYellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Yellow 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
Red 40 (Allura Red AC) 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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Ingredient Safety

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Food Safety Answers

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Free-From Finder

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-40-vs-blue-1
MLA"Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-40-vs-blue-1.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-40-vs-blue-1">Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsred40vsblue1, title = {Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-40-vs-blue-1}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }