Yellow 5 And Red 3

Yellow 5 (also known as tartrazine) and Red 3 (also known as erythrosine) are synthetic food color additives. They are produced through chemical synthesis, typically derived from petroleum.

These dyes are added to foods to enhance or provide color, making products more visually appealing. They are frequently found in candies, beverages, baked goods, and dairy products like ice cream and yogurt.

Yellow 5 is an FDA-approved color additive for food. JECFA has evaluated it and set an acceptable daily intake. Some individuals report sensitivity, but scientific evidence on widespread adverse effects is mixed. Red 3 was an FDA-approved color additive for food until its revocation in January 2025, with manufacturers having until January 2027 to comply; this revocation was due to findings in animal studies, though the FDA stated this is not relevant to human risk. JECFA has evaluated Red 3 and set an acceptable daily intake. California's Food Safety Act (AB 418) bans Red 3 in food from 2027. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow 5 and Red 3. Some research has explored a possible link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in some children, but scientific evidence is mixed and not conclusive for the general population.