Fd And C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake
FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake: Reliable Wholesale Pigment for Food, Pharma, and Cosmetics
Stable, vibrant colorant from China's leading lake pigment exporter. FDA-approved, custom particle sizes, OEM flexibility.
Table of Contents
Lake Pigment Demand is Shifting Fast
Procurement teams in the US and Europe tell us they're under pressure to swap out solvent dyes for lakes. Regulations keep tightening on migration risks in fatty foods, and FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake fits right in where water-soluble indigotine falls short.
We've seen candy coaters ramp up orders by 20-30% over the last couple years. Not from hype, but because lakes like ours hold color through high-shear mixing and extended shelf life. One importer mentioned their chocolate clients demanded it after reformulating to meet EU labeling rules.
It's not just food. Pharma tablet press operators favor aluminum lakes for bleed resistance in chewables. Cosmetics formulators? Eye shadows and lip balms need that non-bleeding blue pop. Global supply chains got messy post-2022, so buyers now prioritize factories with consistent particle distribution—something we've dialed in over a decade.
Short take: if your spec calls for E132 lake equivalent, expect lead times to stretch without a direct China partner. We've shipped to 40+ countries; no drama.
"Switched to aluminum lakes after FDA audits flagged dye migration. Tang Zhi's Blue #2 batch was spot-on first try." — Midwest confectionery buyer
What Sets Our FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake Apart
Start with the substrate: we precipitate indigotine onto ultra-fine alumina trihydrate. Results in 35-45 micron average particle size, customizable down to 10 microns if your coating line demands it. Insoluble in water, oil dispersible, heat stable up to 120°C.
No heavy metals creep. Our process skips extenders that dilute purity. Dye content hovers at 12-18%, verified per batch. That's why repeat buyers from supplement makers stick with us—consistent hue strength means fewer reformulations.
- Migration Resistance: Zero bleed in gum bases or fondants.
- pH Stability: 3-9 range, no fading in acidic candies.
- Batch Consistency: Color match within ΔE 1.0, lab-tested.
- Custom Lakes: Adjust substrate for specific oil absorption.
- Non-Toxic: Meets 21 CFR 74.102 specs straight out.
We've tweaked formulas for OEM runs. One pharma client needed finer grind for effervescent tablets; took two trials, now their standard.
Where It Performs Best
Food coatings top the list. Think hard-shell candies, where soluble blues wash out. Our lake locks in that deep indigo under polyol layers.
Cosmetics: pressed powders, nail polishes. Disperses evenly in silicones without settling. One formulator reported 15% less usage versus dispersions.
Pharma: chewable vitamins, antacids. Stays put through compression. Avoids the speckling you get with dry blends of regular FD&C Blue #2.
| Application | Typical Dosage | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Candy Coatings | 0.5-2% | Heat/Shear Stable |
| Eye Makeup | 1-5% | Non-Bleeding |
| Pharma Tablets | 0.1-1% | Uniform Dispersion |
Less common but growing: pet treats. Owners want natural looks; lakes deliver without synthetic feel.
Practical Dispersion and Usage Advice
Don't dump it dry into water phases—prefwet with propylene glycol or mineral oil first. High-speed mixer at 1000-2000 rpm for 10-15 minutes gets you lump-free.
In fat-based systems, like chocolate panning, preblend at 40-50°C. Avoid over 60°C or you risk clumping. We've seen ops cut dispersion time by half switching to our uniform grind.
Warning: micronized versions settle faster in low-viscosity oils. Add 0.2% xanthan for stability. Test small batches; particle size affects opacity.
For tablet presses, sieve through 60-mesh before blending. Reduces die fill issues. Maintenance tip: clean lines weekly to prevent buildup.
From Hebei Factory to Your Dock
Our Jinzhou plant packs in 25kg fiber drums, PE-lined for moisture block. Palletized at 500kg per unit, fits 20' container perfectly—20 tons net.
Lead time: stock grades ship in 7-10 days post PO. Customs OEM? 20-25 days. FOB Tianjin, CIF worldwide. Duties low under HS 3204.12.
Tracked via sea or air. Recent runs to LA port: 28 days door-to-door. No delays since we pre-clear REACH docs for EU.
MOQ flexible—100kg trials welcome. Bulk buyers get volume tiers; inquire for schedules.
Common Procurement Pitfalls with Lake Pigments
Cheapest quotes often mean inconsistent dye load. We've tested samples from competitors—shade drift after three months storage.
Off-spec particle size gums up coaters. Demand COA upfront; verify aluminum content & loss on drying.
Ignore certifications at your peril. FDA lakes need 21 CFR compliance proof. We provide full batch certs, including microbial.
Supply chain risk: single-source Asia? Diversify, but vet factories. Our 140,000 sqm site runs multiple lines—downtime rare.
Tang Zhi Technology: Built for B2B Reliability
140,000 sqm in Hebei, 90,000 under roof. Automated precipitation towers, spray dryers synced for lake production. Annual output 5,000+ tons across pigments and cellulosics.
Export pros: 15+ years, 50 countries. FDA registered, ISO 9001:2015. Halal/Kosher on request.
OEM/ODM our strength. Private label your spec, from grind size to packaging.
Detailed Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Color Index | FD&C Blue #2 Lake | Visual |
| CAS No. | 860-22-0 / 1333-86-8 | -- |
| Dye Content | 12-18% | Titration |
| Particle Size (D50) | 20-50 μm | Laser Diffraction |
| Loss on Drying | ≤5% | 105°C/3h |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤10 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Microbial Total Plate | ≤1000 cfu/g | USP |
fd&c blue no 1 aluminum lake blue 2 lake fd&c red 40 lake
Full MSDS and COA available on request. Custom specs negotiable.
Frequently Asked Questions from Buyers
Is this FDA-approved for US food use?
Yes, compliant with 21 CFR 74.102. We supply certs with every shipment.
What's the minimum order?
100kg for samples, 500kg production. Scales down for trials.
Can you match a specific shade?
ΔE matching available. Send reference standard.
Shelf life and storage?
24 months in cool, dry conditions. Avoid direct sun.
OEM labeling possible?
Full private label support. MOQ applies.
Feedback from Procurement Teams
"Finally, a lake that doesn't speckle in our panning drums. Consistent from ton one. Delivery beat estimates."
"Dispersed clean in petrolatum bases. Better opacity than last supplier. REACH docs helped customs."
"Passed our heavy metal specs first batch. Pricing competitive for quality. Will reorder."
"Fine particle size reduced our blending time. FDA audit-ready certs a plus."
Ready to Source FD&C Blue #2 Aluminum Lake?
Skip the risks. Get stable supply, custom options, fast quotes.
Export Director, Tang Zhi Technology (Hebei) Co., Ltd.
12 years in pigment export. Handled 500+ lake pigment POs for US/EU clients.
