Yellow6

Yellow 6, also known as Sunset Yellow FCF, is a synthetic food coloring. It is made from petroleum and gives foods an orange-yellow color.

Manufacturers add Yellow 6 to foods to make them more visually appealing. It is commonly found in candies, baked goods, beverages, and snack foods to achieve a bright orange or yellow hue.

Yellow 6 is an FDA-approved color additive for use in food. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, including Yellow 6. Some studies have suggested a possible link between synthetic food dyes, including Yellow 6, and hyperactivity in some children, though evidence is mixed. JECFA (the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has evaluated Yellow 6 and set an acceptable daily intake. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also evaluated it.