FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake
What is FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake?
FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake is a synthetic color additive that gives foods a yellow-orange hue. It is made by combining the synthetic dye FD&C Yellow No. 6 with an insoluble aluminum base, forming a "lake" pigment. This process makes the color stable in products with low moisture or high fat content.
Is FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake vegan?
FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.
Is FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake a major allergen?
This ingredient is not derived from any of the nine major food allergens identified by the FDA.
What is FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake used for?
Manufacturers add this ingredient to provide a consistent yellow-orange color to foods.
Is FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake safe?
In the United States, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake is an FDA-approved color additive.
Why it's used
Manufacturers add this ingredient to provide a consistent yellow-orange color to foods. It is often used in baked goods like cakes, cupcakes, and snack cakes, as well as in icings and confectionery, where its stability in fats and oils is beneficial.
Health notes
In the United States, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake is an FDA-approved color additive. There has been ongoing discussion regarding the potential link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow No. 6, and hyperactivity in some children; however, scientific evidence on this topic remains mixed. JECFA (the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has evaluated Yellow No. 6 and set an acceptable daily intake. EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) has also evaluated it. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow No. 6.
Allergen info
This ingredient is not derived from any of the nine major food allergens identified by the FDA.
Foods that contain FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake
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