Brilliant Blue Food Dye

Not many foods are naturally blue. But in the mid-20th century, concerns over the safety of red food dyes had candy companies and snow cone makers considering unconventional colors for their products.

Early advertisements for “blue raspberry” flavoring began to appear in the 1950s. This new flavor allowed manufacturers to make a visual distinction from other “red” flavors, like cherry and strawberry. After the US Food and Drug Administration approved Brilliant Blue food dye in 1969, blue raspberry became widespread.

Hard candies, gummies, cotton candy,
and popsicles all began to use blue food 
dyes in the late 20th century.

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