Alternate Names

Tartrazine, Y4, Coal Tar Dye

Description

Also see Food, Drug & Cosmetic Colors (FD&C). This lemon yellow dye is derived from coal tar. It's used for yellow, but can be mixed with other colors such as Brilliant Blue to create shades of green.

Additional Information

The FDA requires that Yellow No. 5 be specifically identified on the ingredient line because some people are very sensitive to it. Due to several studies on children and hyperactivity, the European Union requires food containing this colorant to have a label which states: "may have an adverse effect on activity in children" (see In the News section below).

Found In

candy, soft drinks, cereal, gelatin desserts, baked goods, ice cream, pudding, snack foods, energy drinks, flavored chips, jam, yogurt, pickles, dessert powders, custard

Possible Health Effects

Serious allergic reactions can occur in those with sensitivities to aspirin. Other effects include: asthma, hives, headache, skin rash.

Allergy Information

May cause allergic reaction in sensitive individuals

In The News

In December 2008, the European Union took action to require special labeling on foods containing any of 6 different artificial food colorings. The warning label states that the food "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" and the mandate went into effect on July 20, 2010.

Online Resources/Related

• Food Standards Agency, Agency Revises Advice on Certain Artificial Colours, September 11, 2007, Food Standards Agency (an independent government department in the UK)
• European Food Safety Authority, Statement on Food Additives and Developmental Neurotoxicity, January 2005, European Food Safety Authority, Committee on Toxicity
• Brazilian Journal of Biology, Prolonged use of the food dye tartrazine (FD&C yellow no 5) and its effects on the gastric mucosa of Wistar rats., February 2007, Moutinho IL, Bertges LC, Assis RV

Print Resources

• Winter, Ruth. A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, 7th Edition: Descriptions in Plain English of More Than 12,000 Ingredients Both Harmful and Desirable Found in Foods. Three Rivers Press, 2009
• Statham, Bill. Eat Safe: The Truth about Additives from Aspartame to Xanthan Gum. Running Press, 2008
• Minich, Deanna M. An A-Z Guide to Food Additives: Never Eat What You Can't Pronounce. Conari Press, 2009
• Farlow, Christine Hoza, D.C.Food Additives: A Shopper's Guide To What's Safe & What's Not. KISS For Health Publishing, 2007 Revised Edition

Copyright August 8, 2010 Be Food Smart