Yellow 5 Lake And 6 Lake

Yellow 5 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake are color additives made from Yellow 5 (tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (sunset yellow FCF), respectively. They are created by combining the water-soluble dye with an insoluble material, typically aluminum hydroxide, to form a pigment that is not soluble in water.

These lake colors are used to add a yellow-orange hue to a variety of foods. Because they are insoluble, they are often preferred in products with low moisture content, fat-based products, or coatings where a water-soluble dye might bleed or migrate.

Yellow 5 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake are FDA-approved color additives. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Some studies suggest a link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, and hyperactivity in some children, though the evidence is mixed. JECFA has evaluated both Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 and set acceptable daily intakes. EFSA has also evaluated these dyes.