Yellow 5 And 6 Lake

Yellow 5 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake are synthetic color additives. They are formed by combining the water-soluble dyes Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow) with an aluminum hydroxide base, making them insoluble in water. This process creates a pigment that can be dispersed in fats, oils, and other ingredients where water-soluble dyes would not work.

These lakes are used to add yellow and orange coloring to a wide range of foods. Because they are insoluble, they are particularly useful for coloring products with low moisture content, fatty products, or for coating surfaces. They are often found in candies, baked goods, snack foods, and coatings.

Yellow 5 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake are approved by the FDA as color additives for use in food. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Both Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, and their lake forms, have been evaluated by JECFA, which has set an acceptable daily intake. EFSA has also evaluated these colors. Some studies have suggested a possible link between synthetic food colors, including Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, and hyperactivity in some children, though the evidence is mixed and not conclusive across all studies.