Includes Yellow 5

Yellow 5, also known as tartrazine, is a synthetic food coloring agent that provides a lemon-yellow hue. It is manufactured from petroleum.

Manufacturers add Yellow 5 to foods to achieve or enhance a yellow color. It is commonly found in candies, baked goods, snack foods, beverages, and some processed foods.

Yellow 5 is an FDA-approved color additive for use in food. JECFA has evaluated Yellow 5 and set an acceptable daily intake. EFSA has also evaluated its safety. Some studies, including the Southampton study, have suggested a possible link between certain artificial food colors, including Yellow 5, and hyperactivity in some children, though the evidence is mixed and not all studies have found consistent results. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow 5.