Lake Yellow 6

Lake Yellow 6 is a color additive used to give foods a yellow-orange color. It is made by combining the synthetic dye Yellow 6 (also known as Sunset Yellow FCF) with an insoluble metal salt, typically aluminum hydroxide. This process creates a pigment that is stable and less likely to bleed in certain food products.

Manufacturers add Lake Yellow 6 to provide a consistent yellow or orange hue in various food items. It is often found in products such as candies, baked goods, snack foods, and beverages. As a lake pigment, it is particularly useful in products with low moisture or high fat content, where it won't dissolve or spread easily.

Lake Yellow 6 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, including Yellow 6, from the food supply. JECFA has evaluated Yellow 6 and set an acceptable daily intake. EFSA has also evaluated it and set an acceptable daily intake. Some studies have suggested a possible link between synthetic food colors, including Yellow 6, and hyperactivity in some sensitive children, but the evidence is mixed and not conclusive. The FDA states that current scientific evidence does not show a causal link between these colors and hyperactivity in the general population, but acknowledges that some children may be sensitive.