Yellow Color

Yellow color is a general term for food additives used to impart a yellow hue to foods. These often include synthetic dyes like Yellow 5 (tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (sunset yellow FCF), which are manufactured through chemical synthesis, typically derived from petroleum.

Manufacturers add yellow colors to enhance the visual appeal of food products, standardize color, or replace color lost during processing. They are frequently found in baked goods, candies, beverages, snack foods, and some pickled products.

In the US, synthetic yellow colors like Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are approved by the FDA as 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. Concerns have been raised about a possible link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in some children; however, the scientific evidence on this topic is mixed, and major health organizations continue to review the research. Both the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have evaluated these dyes and set acceptable daily intakes.