FD&C Yellow #5 Lake And FD&C Blue #1 Lake

FD&C Yellow #5 Lake and FD&C Blue #1 Lake are synthetic color additives. They are formed by adsorbing the water-soluble dyes FD&C Yellow #5 and FD&C Blue #1 onto an insoluble base, typically aluminum hydroxide. This process creates a pigment that is stable in fats and products with low moisture content.

These lake colors are used to add or restore color to a wide variety of foods. They are often found in products that contain fats or have little water, such as baked goods, confectionery coatings, and dry mixes. They are commonly used in items like candy and prepared wraps.

FD&C Yellow #5 Lake and FD&C Blue #1 Lake are FDA-approved food additives. In April 2025, FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes FD&C Yellow #5 and FD&C Blue #1. FD&C Yellow #5 (Tartrazine) has been associated with hypersensitivity reactions, such as hives or asthma, in a small number of sensitive individuals, and the FDA requires its presence to be declared on food labels. Both JECFA and EFSA have evaluated these colors. Some studies have explored a potential link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in some children, but the evidence is mixed and not conclusive for the general population.