Yellow Lakes 5 & 6 And Other Color Added

Yellow Lakes 5 and 6 are synthetic color additives. They are pigments created by combining the water-soluble dyes Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) with an insoluble metal salt, typically aluminum hydroxide. This process makes them insoluble in water, allowing them to be used in fat-based products or coatings where color stability is important.

These lakes are used to impart yellow or orange colors to a wide range of foods. Their insoluble nature prevents color bleeding, making them suitable for products like snack foods, baked goods, confectionery coatings, and dry mixes. The phrase 'Other Color Added' indicates the presence of additional, unspecified color additives.

Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are FDA-approved color additives, listed under 21 CFR. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated both dyes and established acceptable daily intakes. There has been scientific debate regarding a potential link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, and hyperactivity in some children; the FDA has concluded that for most children, such a link is not established, but a small subset of sensitive children may experience exacerbated behavioral issues. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.