Yellow Dye #5
What is Yellow Dye #5?
Yellow Dye #5, also known as Tartrazine, is a synthetic food coloring. It is made from petroleum and is one of the most widely used artificial yellow dyes.
Is Yellow Dye #5 vegan?
Yellow Dye #5 is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.
Is Yellow Dye #5 a major allergen?
Not a major allergen.
What is Yellow Dye #5 used for?
Manufacturers add Yellow Dye #5 to give foods a bright yellow color.
Is Yellow Dye #5 safe?
In the United States, Yellow Dye #5 is an FDA-approved color additive.
Why it's used
Manufacturers add Yellow Dye #5 to give foods a bright yellow color. It is commonly found in candies, beverages, baked goods, cereals, and snack foods.
Health notes
In the United States, Yellow Dye #5 is an FDA-approved color additive. However, in April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow Dye #5. JECFA (the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has evaluated Yellow Dye #5 and set an acceptable daily intake. Some studies have suggested a link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow Dye #5, and hyperactivity in some children, though evidence is mixed and not all studies have found a consistent link. The FDA states that current evidence does not show a causal link between these dyes and behavioral problems in the general population of children.
Allergen info
Not a major allergen.
Foods that contain Yellow Dye #5
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