What Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives

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E-Number	E102
FDA Status	FDA-approved. Since 1979, FDA requires Yellow 5 to be specifically listed on food labels (21 CFR 74.705) due to potentia…
EFSA Status	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…
ADI	7.5 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA, 2009)
Severity	High Risk (8/10)
Category	Artificial Color

What Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?

A synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye used in beverages, candy, cereals, and snack foods. It is the second most commonly used food dye in the US.

Mechanism of Action

As an azo dye, tartrazine is reduced by intestinal azo-reductase enzymes and gut bacteria to sulfanilic acid and aminopyrazolone metabolites. It has been associated with sensitivity reactions in individuals with aspirin intolerance, potentially through leukotriene pathway modulation.

Why People Avoid Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA

FDA-approved. Since 1979, FDA requires Yellow 5 to be specifically listed on food labels (21 CFR 74.705) due to potential sensitivity reactions.

🇪🇺 EFSA

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 regarding potential effects on children's activity and attention.

Regulatory Timeline

Banned/Restricted In

Products Containing Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) (710 found in our database)

Safer Alternatives

Scientific Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?: A synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye used in beverages, candy, cereals, and snack foods. It is the second most commonly used food dye in the US.
Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) safe?: Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is FDA-approved. Since 1979, FDA requires Yellow 5 to be specifically listed on food labels (21 CFR 74.. EFSA re-evaluated in 2009, maintaining an ADI of 7.5 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires the same war.
Where is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) banned?: Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is banned or restricted in: Norway, Austria.
What are alternatives to Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?: Safer alternatives to Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) include: Turmeric (curcumin), Safflower extract, Beta-carotene, Annatto.
How can I avoid Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?: Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and suggest safer alternatives.
What foods contain Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?: Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is commonly found in: Mountain Dew, Cheetos, Lucky Charms, Starburst, Kraft Mac & Cheese (reformulated 2016), Peeps. Our database has flagged it in 710 products.
What are the side effects of Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?: Concerns about Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) include: FDA requires specific labeling due to known sensitivity in some individuals; Cross-reactivity reported in aspirin-sensitive individuals; Included in Southampton Study color mixtures associated with hyperactivity.
Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) natural or artificial?: Yellow 5 (Tartrazine): As an azo dye, tartrazine is reduced by intestinal azo-reductase enzymes and gut bacteria to sulfanilic acid and aminopyrazolone metabolites. It has b.

⚕️ This page provides ingredient information for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data

APA

CheckIt AI. (2026). "What Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5

MLA

"What Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-08. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5.

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<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5">What Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>

BibTeX

@misc{checkit2026ingredientsyellow5,
  title = {What Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI},
  author = {CheckIt AI},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {Climaverse PBC},
  url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-03-08}
}

#	Product	Brand	Score
1	CORNER STORE, GUMMY WORMS	Hot Stop Foods	0/100
2	JELLY BEANS, STINK BUG, TOASTED MARSHMALLOW, DIRTY DISHWATER, BIRTHDAY CAKE, ROTTEN EGG, BUTTERED POPCORN, TOOTHPASTE, BERRY BLUE, BARF, PEACH, CANNED DOG FOOD, CHOCOLATE PUDDING, BOOGER, JUICY PEAR, SPOILED MILK, COCONUT, STINKY SOCKS, TUTTI-FRUITTI, DEAD FISH, STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE	Jelly Belly Candy Company	0/100
3	JELLY BEANS, STINK BUG, TOASTED MARSHMALLOW, DIRTY DISHWATER, BIRTHDAY CAKE, ROTTEN EGG, BUTTERED POPCORN, TOOTHPASTE, BERRY BLUE, BARF, PEACH, CANNED DOG FOOD, CHOCOLATE PUDDING, BOOGER, JUICY PEAR, SPOILED MILK, COCONUT, STINKY SOCKS, TUTTI-FRUITTI, DEAD FISH, STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE	Jelly Belly Candy Company	0/100
4	JELLY BEANS, STINK BUG, TOASTED MARSHMALLOW, DIRTY DISHWATER, BIRTHDAY CAKE, ROTTEN EGG, BUTTERED POPCORN, TOOTHPASTE, BERRY BLUE, BARF, PEACH, CANNED DOG FOOD, CHOCOLATE PUDDING, BOOGER, JUICY PEAR, SPOILED MILK, COCONUT, STINKY SOCKS, TUTTI-FRUITTI, DEAD FISH, STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE	Jelly Belly Candy Company	0/100
5	CHICKEN FLAVOR BOUILLON CUBES, CHICKEN	Unilever Bestfoods North America	0/100
6	Pringles Loud Crisps Spicy Queso 5.4oz	Kellogg Company US	0/100
7	Pringles Crisps Cheddar & Sour Cream 5.5oz	Kellogg Company US	0/100
8	Pringles Crisps Memphis Original Bbq 5.5oz	Kellogg Company US	0/100
9	NABISCO CHIPS AHOY! COOKIES CANDY 1X12.400 OZ	Mondelez Int. US (0074819091009)	0/100
10	FRUITY PEBBLES SWEETENED RICE CEREAL, FRUITY PEBBLES	Post Consumer Brands, LLC	0/100

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