Yellow Lake 6

Yellow Lake 6 is a synthetic color additive that provides a yellow-orange hue. It is made by combining the water-soluble dye Yellow 6 with an aluminum hydroxide base. This process creates an insoluble pigment, known as a 'lake,' which is useful in products where the color needs to stay stable and not bleed, such as in fats or low-moisture foods.

Manufacturers add Yellow Lake 6 to foods to achieve a yellow or orange color. Because it is insoluble in water, it's often used in products that contain fats and oils, or in dry mixes and coatings where color migration is a concern. It can be found in snacks like popcorn, peanuts, and various baked goods.

Yellow Lake 6 is a color additive approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in foods, drugs, and cosmetics. The FDA announced in April 2025 a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes Yellow 6 (the dye from which Yellow Lake 6 is made). Concerns about synthetic food colorings, including Yellow Lake 6, often relate to potential links with hyperactivity in some children. The FDA states that while scientific evidence does not show that food colorings cause hyperactivity in the general population, some children may be sensitive. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated Yellow 6 and set an acceptable daily intake; the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also evaluated it.