Yellow No. 5 Lake

Yellow No. 5 Lake is a color additive made by combining the synthetic dye Yellow No. 5 (also known as Tartrazine) with an insoluble material, typically aluminum hydroxide. This process creates a pigment that is water-insoluble, making it suitable for coloring fats, oils, and dry products.

It is used to impart a yellow color to a wide range of processed foods. Because it is insoluble, it is often preferred for products with low moisture content, such as snack foods like popcorn and peanuts, candies, and chocolate coatings, where the dye form might bleed or fade.

Yellow No. 5 Lake is an FDA-approved color additive, meaning it has been evaluated for safety and must be certified by the FDA for each batch. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow No. 5. JECFA (the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has evaluated Yellow No. 5 and set an acceptable daily intake. EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) has also evaluated it and set an acceptable daily intake. Some studies have suggested a link between synthetic food colors, including Yellow No. 5, and hyperactivity in some children, while other studies have not found a consistent link. In sensitive individuals, Yellow No. 5 has been associated with allergic-type reactions, such as hives or asthma.