Yellow #6 And Yellow #5

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

These dyes are added to foods to provide or enhance color, making products more visually appealing. They are commonly found in snacks, popcorn, cheese-flavored products, and frozen dinners.

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 dyes have been evaluated by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and both bodies have set an acceptable daily intake. There have been discussions regarding a possible link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in some children; however, the evidence on this topic is mixed.