Including Yellow 5 Lake

Yellow 5 Lake is a color additive. It is made by combining the synthetic dye Yellow 5 (also known as Tartrazine) with an insoluble metallic salt, usually aluminum hydroxide. This process makes the color insoluble in water.

Manufacturers add Yellow 5 Lake to foods to give them a yellow color. Because it is insoluble, it is often used in products with fats, oils, or very little moisture, or when the color needs to stay put and not bleed. It is commonly found in candies, puddings, and snack foods.

Yellow 5 Lake is an FDA-approved color additive for use in foods. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes Yellow 5. Some studies have suggested a possible link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow 5, and hyperactivity in some children, though evidence is mixed and more research is ongoing. JECFA has evaluated Yellow 5 and set an acceptable daily intake. EFSA has also evaluated Yellow 5.