Includes Yellow 6 Lake

Yellow 6 Lake is a color additive. It is a lake pigment of Yellow 6, which is a synthetic azo dye made from petroleum. Lake pigments are created by combining a dye with an insoluble metallic salt, usually aluminum, making them stable and suitable for use in products with little moisture.

Manufacturers add Yellow 6 Lake to provide an orange-yellow color to foods. It is often found in baked goods, snacks, candies, and beverages where a stable, non-bleeding color is desired.

Yellow 6 Lake is an FDA-approved color additive for use in foods, drugs, and cosmetics. JECFA has evaluated Yellow 6 and set an acceptable daily intake. Some studies have suggested a possible link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow 6, and hyperactivity in some sensitive children, though evidence is mixed and the FDA states that for most children, food dyes do not affect behavior. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow 6, from food products.