And Yellow #5 Lake

Yellow #5 Lake is a color additive. It is the insoluble form of Yellow #5 (also known as Tartrazine), which is a synthetic dye. Lake pigments are made by combining the dye with a metal salt, usually aluminum, to create a pigment that does not dissolve in water.

Manufacturers add Yellow #5 Lake to foods to provide a yellow color. Because it is insoluble, it is often used in products with fats or oils, or in items where color bleeding is undesirable, such as coatings, baked goods, and confectionery.

Yellow #5 Lake is an FDA-approved color additive for food use. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated Yellow #5 and set an acceptable daily intake. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also evaluated Yellow #5. Some studies have suggested a link between synthetic food colors, including Yellow #5, and hyperactivity in some children, but the evidence is mixed, and regulatory bodies generally consider it safe at approved levels. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow #5.