Yellow Lake #5 And Blue Lake #1

Yellow Lake #5 and Blue Lake #1 are synthetic color additives. They are insoluble forms, called 'lakes,' of the water-soluble dyes Tartrazine (Yellow 5) and Brilliant Blue FCF (Blue 1). These lake pigments are made by combining the dye with a metallic salt, usually aluminum hydroxide, to create a pigment that is more stable and less prone to bleeding in certain food applications.

Manufacturers add these lake pigments to color foods that have little moisture or fat, or where a water-soluble dye might migrate. They are commonly found in products like candies, baking decorations, frostings, and other dessert toppings to achieve bright, stable colors.

Yellow Lake #5 and Blue Lake #1 are FDA-approved color additives. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes Yellow 5 and Blue 1, and by extension, their lake forms. JECFA has evaluated both Tartrazine (Yellow 5) and Brilliant Blue FCF (Blue 1) and set acceptable daily intakes. Some studies have suggested a possible link between synthetic food colors, including Yellow 5 and Blue 1, and hyperactivity in some children, though evidence is mixed and not all regulatory bodies agree on the significance of these findings for the general population.