Yellow # 5 & Yellow # 6

Yellow #5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) are synthetic color additives made from petroleum. They are used to give foods and beverages a yellow to orange color.

These dyes are added to a wide range of processed foods to enhance their visual appeal. They are commonly found in candies, baked goods like cakes and cupcakes, snack foods, and various drinks, including punches and flavored beverages.

Yellow #5 and Yellow #6 are FDA-approved color additives for use in food. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow #5 and Yellow #6. Both JECFA and EFSA have evaluated these dyes and set acceptable daily intakes. There has been ongoing debate and mixed scientific evidence regarding a potential link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow #5 and Yellow #6, and hyperactivity in some children.