E130-E139 Blue and purple

E133 is a food additive approved by the European Union (EU).

It is used as a synthetic colouring agent in food and drink products, but mostly in cosmetics.

The common name for E133 is brilliant blue FCF.

E133 is highly soluble in water and gives a blue colouring to food products.

E133 can be used together with tartrazine (E102) to give various shades of green.

The colouring can also be used in inks and as a fabric dye.

E133 has been known to provoke allergic reaction (although this is thought to be rare) and is banned in France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Austria.