Also on labels as: Tartrazine, E102, FD&C Yellow No. 5, CI 19140
In one line
Yellow 5 is a synthetic azo dye that gives foods and drinks a bright lemon-yellow colour.
What is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?
Tartrazine is a petroleum-derived azo dye synthesised from aromatic compounds. It produces a vivid yellow hue and is one of the most widely used certified colour additives in processed foods. It has no flavour or nutritional contribution of its own.
What does it do in the product?
Yellow 5 absorbs light in the blue-violet range, reflecting yellow wavelengths that make products look brighter and more visually consistent. Manufacturers use it to compensate for colour lost during processing or to standardise appearance across batches. It is highly stable and water-soluble, making it easy to blend into liquids, powders and gels.
Where you usually find it
Lemon-lime sports drinks
Yellow boxed macaroni and cheese
Flavoured corn snacks and chips
Instant pudding and gelatin desserts
Pickles and pickle relish
Some over-the-counter medications and vitamin supplements
Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) something to worry about?
For most people, Yellow 5 at amounts typically found in food is considered safe by regulatory bodies on both sides of the Atlantic. However, a small proportion of the population — particularly those with aspirin sensitivity — may experience allergic-type reactions including hives or nasal symptoms. A long-running debate surrounds a possible link between certain synthetic dyes, including tartrazine, and increased hyperactivity in some children, a concern reflected in EU warning label requirements though the evidence is still characterised as inconclusive by major health agencies.
Who should pay attention
People with aspirin (salicylate) sensitivity, who face a higher risk of cross-reactive responses
Parents of children with ADHD or hyperactivity concerns, given ongoing debate about synthetic dye intake
Individuals with known tartrazine or azo dye allergies
Anyone following a diet that excludes artificial colours, such as Feingold-type elimination diets
People taking certain medications, as tartrazine appears in some pill coatings and capsules
How is it regulated?
In the United States, the FDA classifies Yellow 5 as a certified colour additive and requires it to be listed by name on food and cosmetic labels — an explicit disclosure rule that does not apply to every additive. The European Union permits it as E102 but mandates a warning phrase on any product containing it, noting that the colour may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. Both jurisdictions set acceptable daily intake levels and require batch certification.
How to spot it on a label
On US packaging, look for 'Yellow 5' or 'FD&C Yellow No. 5' in the ingredient list — it must be named, not hidden under a generic term like 'artificial colour.' In Europe, 'E102' or 'tartrazine' will appear alongside a required caution statement about children's attention and activity. If a label says 'no artificial colours,' Yellow 5 has been excluded.
What a cleaner swap looks like
Products coloured with turmeric extract, beta-carotene or annatto achieve a similar yellow-to-orange range using plant-derived pigments. These alternatives are not automatically allergen-free or risk-free for every person, but they avoid the synthetic azo dye structure entirely. Scanning with InZoRAH can surface products in the same category that rely on these plant-based colourants instead.
Questions people also ask about Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
Is Yellow 5 safe to eat every day?
Regulatory agencies in both the US and EU have set acceptable daily intake levels at which Yellow 5 is considered safe for the general population. Most people who eat typical amounts through food will stay well below those thresholds. Sensitive individuals — particularly those with aspirin intolerance or azo dye allergies — may want to limit or avoid it regardless.
Does Yellow 5 really cause hyperactivity in children?
The evidence is genuinely mixed. Some studies suggest that a mixture of certain synthetic dyes may modestly increase hyperactivity in susceptible children, which prompted EU warning labelling. However, major health authorities have not concluded that tartrazine alone causes ADHD. Parents concerned about behaviour sometimes choose to eliminate synthetic dyes as a precautionary step.
Why does Yellow 5 have to be named on US labels when other colours don't?
The FDA specifically requires Yellow 5 to be listed by its common name because of its known potential to trigger reactions in aspirin-sensitive individuals. This is a targeted disclosure rule. Other certified colours may appear under a collective term like 'artificial colour' in some product categories, but Yellow 5 is explicitly exempt from that grouping.
Can Yellow 5 trigger an allergic reaction?
Yes, though true allergic reactions are uncommon. People with salicylate or aspirin sensitivity have a documented higher risk of cross-reactive responses to tartrazine, which can include skin hives, itching or respiratory symptoms. Anyone who has ever reacted to aspirin or other salicylates should be cautious and consult a healthcare provider before assuming a food reaction is unrelated.
Is Yellow 5 found in medicines as well as food?
Yes. Tartrazine appears as a colouring agent in some tablet coatings, gel capsules and liquid medications, as well as in certain dietary supplements. If you are trying to eliminate it entirely, checking medication ingredient lists is just as important as checking food labels. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure about a specific product.
What natural ingredient can replace Yellow 5?
Common plant-based alternatives include turmeric extract (curcumin), beta-carotene from carrots or algae, and annatto from achiote seeds. Each produces a yellow-to-golden colour with a different shade and stability profile. They are generally preferred by consumers avoiding synthetic dyes, though individuals with specific plant allergies should still read labels carefully.
Where this came from
FDA certified colour additive regulations — Supports the US regulatory status of Yellow 5, the mandatory by-name labelling requirement and batch certification process
EFSA re-evaluation of food colours — Supports the EU acceptable daily intake for E102 and the basis for the hyperactivity warning label requirement in the European Union
FDA guidance on colour additives in food — Supports the classification of tartrazine as an FD&C-certified dye and its permitted uses across food categories
Open Food Facts ingredient database — Supports the range of product types in which Yellow 5 and E102 commonly appear across global markets
Original write-up based on public records. Educational information, not medical advice — ingredient records change, so always read the physical label if you have an allergy.
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