Patent Blue V

Identifiers

INS No. 131
E 131
CAS No. 3536-49-0
CI Food Blue 5
Patent Blue 5
CI No. 42051

Physical Description

Patent blue V is a triarylmethane dye that occurs as a blue powder or granules. It is principally the calcium or sodium salt of 2-[4-[alpha-(4-diethyl-aminophenyl)-5-hydroxy-2,4-disulfonatophenylmethylidene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene] diethylammonium hydroxide inner salt, and subsidiary coloring matters. It may be converted to the corresponding aluminum lake.

Common Uses

Typical applications include beverages, confectionery, bakery, dairy fats and oils, meat, seafood, snacks, dry mixes and seasonings, fruit preparation, and convenient foods.

Specifications

JECFA

Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012

Regulatory Approval

JECFA: No ADI allocated (26th meeting; 1982)

EU: ADI of 0-5 mg/kg body weight (EFSA, 2013); EFSA has also established MPLs of Patent Blue V in specific foods according to the Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011.

Safety Reviews

Toxicological evaluation of some food colours, enzymes, flavour enhancers, thickening agents, and certain food additives (18th report of the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives), WHO Food Additives Series, No. 6, 1975. Available online

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS); Scientific Opinion on the reevaluation of Patent Blue V (E 131) as a food additive. EFSA Journal 2013;11(3):2818. [35 pp.]. Available online