Yellow #5 And Yellow #6

Yellow #5 (also known as Tartrazine) and Yellow #6 (also known as Sunset Yellow FCF) are synthetic food color additives. They are petroleum-derived dyes used to impart a yellow or orange color to foods and beverages.

Manufacturers add these dyes to enhance the visual appeal of products, making them look more vibrant or consistent in color. They are commonly found in a wide range of processed foods, including cheese products, soft drinks, candies, baked goods, and cereals.

Yellow #5 and Yellow #6 are approved color additives by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. There has been ongoing debate regarding a potential link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in some children; however, the FDA has stated that scientific evidence does not conclusively establish a causal link, though it requires specific labeling for Yellow #5 due to rare allergic-type reactions in some individuals. Both Yellow #5 and Yellow #6 have been evaluated by international bodies like the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which have established acceptable daily intake levels.