Includes Fd&c: Yellow #5 Lake

FD&C Yellow #5 Lake is a synthetic yellow color additive. It is a "lake" pigment, meaning the dye (FD&C Yellow #5, also known as Tartrazine) is combined with an insoluble material, often aluminum hydroxide, to make it stable in fats and oils. This form helps prevent the color from bleeding in certain food products.

This ingredient is added to foods to give them a yellow color. It is often used in products with low moisture or high fat content, such as candies, snacks, baked goods, and coatings. Its lake form helps ensure the color remains consistent and doesn't migrate.

FD&C Yellow #5 Lake is an FDA-approved color additive for use in food. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes Yellow #5. JECFA has evaluated FD&C Yellow #5 and set an acceptable daily intake. EFSA has also evaluated it and established an acceptable daily intake. Some research has explored a potential link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow #5, and hyperactivity in some children, but the evidence is mixed.