Yellow #5 Food Color

Yellow #5, also known as Tartrazine, is a synthetic yellow dye. It is manufactured from petroleum-based raw materials through chemical synthesis.

Manufacturers add Yellow #5 to foods to impart a yellow color. It is commonly used in beverages, candies, baked goods, and processed foods like pickles, olives, and deli salads.

Yellow #5 is an FDA-approved color additive for use in food. Both JECFA and EFSA have evaluated this additive and set acceptable daily intakes. Some studies have suggested a possible link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow #5, and hyperactivity in some children, but the evidence is mixed and not conclusive. In April 2025, FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow #5.