If Orange: Yellow 6

Yellow 6 is a synthetic food coloring. It is manufactured from petroleum and is used to give foods an orange-yellow color.

Manufacturers add Yellow 6 to make foods visually appealing and to provide a consistent color. It is commonly found in candies, soft drinks, baked goods, gelatin desserts, and some processed snacks.

In the United States, Yellow 6 is an FDA-approved color additive for food. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow 6. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated Yellow 6 and set an acceptable daily intake. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also evaluated it. Concerns have been raised about a possible link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow 6, and hyperactivity in some children; however, scientific evidence on this topic is mixed, and more research is ongoing.