Propylene Glycol vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse?

FactorPropylene GlycolYellow 5 (Tartrazine)
E-NumberE1520E102
CategoryAdditiveArtificial Color
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)High Risk (8/10)
FDA StatusFDA classifies propylene glycol as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1666) for direct addition to food at levels not to exceed 5% of tota…FDA-approved. Since 1979, FDA requires Yellow 5 to be specifically listed on food labels (21 CFR 74.705) due to potentia…
EFSA StatusEFSA established a group ADI of 25 mg/kg body weight/day for propylene glycol (E 1520) in 2018. EFSA noted that dietary …EFSA re-evaluated in 2009, maintaining an ADI of 7.5 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires the same warning label as Red 40…
Banned In—Norway Austria
Products Found198777

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Propylene Glycol

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

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Which Products Use Each?

198
products contain Propylene Glycol
777
products contain Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

⚖️ The Verdict

Based on severity scores, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) (8/10) poses a higher risk than Propylene Glycol (6/10).

Both ingredients should be consumed mindfully. Use CheckIt AI to scan products and avoid whichever ones concern you most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Propylene Glycol or Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) worse?
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) has a higher severity score (8/10) compared to Propylene Glycol (6/10), making it the more concerning ingredient based on current regulatory and scientific data.
What is the difference between Propylene Glycol and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?
Propylene Glycol is a additive, while Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is a artificial color. They serve different functions in food products.
Are Propylene Glycol and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) banned?
Propylene Glycol is not currently banned in any major market. Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is banned in Norway, Austria.
How can I avoid both Propylene Glycol and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Propylene Glycol and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Pages

Related Comparisons

Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Titanium DioxideYellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Annatto
Propylene Glycol Deep Dive Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Deep Dive All 180 Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Propylene Glycol vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/propylene-glycol-vs-yellow-5
MLA"Propylene Glycol vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-17. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/propylene-glycol-vs-yellow-5.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/propylene-glycol-vs-yellow-5">Propylene Glycol vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientspropyleneglycolvsyellow5, title = {Propylene Glycol vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/propylene-glycol-vs-yellow-5}, note = {Retrieved 2026-04-17} }