Patent Blue V

Identifiers

INS No. 131
E 131
EINCECS No. 222-573-8
CAS No. 3536-49-0
CI Food Blue 5
CI No. 42051
CI Acid Blue 3
Carmine Blue V

Physical Description

Patent blue V is a dark bluish dye that provides a blue to greenish blue shade in applications. The colorant consists essentially of the calcium or sodium salt of 2-[(4-diethylaminophenyl)(4-diethylimino-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene)methyl]-4-hydroxy-1,5-benzenedisulfonate and subsidiary coloring matters. Patent blue V is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol.

Common Uses

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

Specifications

EU defined in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012
JECFA

Regulatory Approval

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

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

Safety Reviews

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

JECFA (Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives), 1982. WHO Food Additives Series, No. 17. Toxicological evaluation of certain food additives. Available online