Yellows 5 & 6 Lake

Yellow 5 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake are synthetic color additives. They are made by combining the water-soluble dyes Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow) with an aluminum hydroxide base. This process creates an insoluble pigment that is more stable in certain food products.

These color lakes are used to add yellow and orange hues to a variety of foods. Because they are insoluble, they are especially useful in products with fats and oils, or those with very little moisture, preventing the color from bleeding. They are often found in savory bakery products, cookies, biscuits, snacks, and energy and granola bars.

Yellow 5 Lake and Yellow 6 Lake are approved by the FDA as color additives for food. JECFA has evaluated both Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 and established acceptable daily intakes. EFSA has also evaluated these dyes. Some studies have suggested a possible link between synthetic food colors, including Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, and hyperactivity in some children; however, the evidence is mixed, and the FDA requires specific labeling for products containing Yellow 5. In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, which includes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.