What Is Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives

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E-Number	E110
FDA Status	FDA-approved. Listed under 21 CFR 74.706. No special labeling requirement beyond standard color additive declaration.
EFSA Status	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…
ADI	1-4 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA, 2014 revision)
Severity	High Risk (8/10)
Category	Artificial Color

What Is Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)?

A synthetic orange-yellow azo dye commonly used in beverages, candy, baked goods, and sauces.

Mechanism of Action

Metabolized by gut bacteria into sulfanilic acid and 1-amino-2-naphthol. The latter metabolite has raised concerns in some toxicological studies regarding potential genotoxicity, though regulatory bodies have not confirmed a causal risk at typical dietary exposures.

Why People Avoid Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA

FDA-approved. Listed under 21 CFR 74.706. No special labeling requirement beyond standard color additive declaration.

🇪🇺 EFSA

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 warning label.

Regulatory Timeline

Banned/Restricted In

Products Containing Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) (579 found in our database)

Average safety score for products containing Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF): 40/100

Safer Alternatives

Scientific Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)?: A synthetic orange-yellow azo dye commonly used in beverages, candy, baked goods, and sauces.
Is Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) safe?: Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) is FDA-approved. Listed under 21 CFR 74.706. No special labeling requirement beyond standard color addi. EFSA re-evaluated in 2009 and reduced the ADI from 2.5 to 1-4 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires the.
Where is Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) banned?: Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) is banned or restricted in: Norway, Finland.
What are alternatives to Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)?: Safer alternatives to Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) include: Annatto, Paprika, Carrot juice concentrate, Turmeric.
How can I avoid Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)?: Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) and suggest safer alternatives.
What foods contain Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)?: Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) is commonly found in: Reese's Pieces, Sunkist soda, Doritos Nacho Cheese, Fruity Pebbles. Our database has flagged it in 579 products.
What are the side effects of Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)?: Concerns about Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) include: Part of the Southampton Study mixtures; EFSA reduced ADI, suggesting tighter safety margins; EU warning label.
Is Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) natural or artificial?: Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF): Metabolized by gut bacteria into sulfanilic acid and 1-amino-2-naphthol. The latter metabolite has raised concerns in some toxicological studies regar.

⚕️ 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 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-6

MLA

"What Is Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-08. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-6.

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<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-6">What Is Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>

BibTeX

@misc{checkit2026ingredientsyellow6,
  title = {What Is Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI},
  author = {CheckIt AI},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {Climaverse PBC},
  url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-6},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-03-08}
}

#	Product	Brand	Score
1	CORNER STORE, GUMMY WORMS	Hot Stop Foods	0/100
2	FROSTED STRAWBERRY TOASTER PASTRIES, FROSTED STRAWBERRY	The Kellogg Company	0/100
3	CHICKEN FLAVOR BOUILLON CUBES, CHICKEN	Unilever Bestfoods North America	0/100
4	PRINGLES CRISPS CHEESEBURGER 5.96OZ	Kellogg Company US	0/100
5	Pringles Crisps Cheeseburger 5.5oz	Kellogg Company US	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	FRUITY PEBBLES SWEETENED RICE CEREAL, FRUITY PEBBLES	Post Consumer Brands, LLC	0/100
10	Lucky Charms Soft Baked Treats	GENERAL MILLS SALES INC.	0/100

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