Yellow 5 Lake Yellow 6 Lake

Yellow 5 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake are synthetic color additives. They are made by combining the water-soluble dyes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 with an aluminum hydroxide base, which makes them insoluble. This "lake" form allows them to be used in products where water-soluble dyes might bleed or migrate.

These ingredients are added to foods to provide yellow and orange colors. Their insoluble nature makes them suitable for products with low moisture, fats, or oils, such as candies, baked goods, snack coatings, and chewing gum. They help create visually appealing and consistent food products.

Yellow 5 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake are FDA-approved color additives for use in food. The FDA announced in April 2025 a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which would also affect their lake forms. JECFA has evaluated both Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 and set an acceptable daily intake. EFSA has also evaluated these dyes. There has been mixed evidence regarding a possible link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in some children, but the evidence is not conclusive for the general population.