Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — Which Is Worse?

FactorYellow 5 (Tartrazine)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)
E-NumberE102E110
CategoryArtificial ColorArtificial Color
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved. Since 1979, FDA requires Yellow 5 to be specifically listed on food labels (21 CFR 74.705) due to potentia…FDA-approved. Listed under 21 CFR 74.706. No special labeling requirement beyond standard color additive declaration.
EFSA StatusEFSA re-evaluated in 2009, maintaining an ADI of 7.5 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires the same warning label as Red 40…EFSA re-evaluated in 2009 and reduced the ADI from 2.5 to 1-4 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires the children's behavior…
Banned In——
Products Found2621

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)

Which Products Use Each?

26
products contain Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
21
products contain Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse than the other based on current data.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) or Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) worse?
Both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)?
Both are artificial colors. Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 26 products. Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 21 products.
Are Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) banned?
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is not currently banned in any major market. Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Pages

Related Comparisons

Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)Red 40 (Allura Red AC) 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 AnnattoYellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Titanium DioxideYellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Annatto
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Deep Dive Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) 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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Free-From Finder

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-yellow-6
MLA"Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-yellow-6.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-yellow-6">Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsyellow5vsyellow6, title = {Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-yellow-6}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }