Artificial additives
Yellow 5 (tartrazine)
Definition
What it is
Artificial synthetic dye: linked to hyperactivity in children; requires mandatory warning label in the EU. The FDA is currently reviewing authorization following California's 2023 ban of several dyes in school foods.
On the label
How it appears on labels
- yellow 5
- yellow no. 5
- tartrazine
- e102
Regulation
Regulatory status
- European Union Warning label required
- Japan Restricted
- United States Restricted
Explainer
In plain language
Yellow 5, also called tartrazine or E102, is a synthetic azo dye made from petroleum-derived raw materials. It gives food and drinks a bright lemon-yellow color and is one of the most widely used artificial colors in the United States. Its only job is appearance.
Assessment
Why it is flagged
A 2007 randomized trial published in The Lancet, known as the Southampton study, associated mixtures of synthetic dyes, including Yellow 5, with increased hyperactivity in some children from the general population. On that basis the EU requires most foods containing Yellow 5 to carry the warning that it 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'. Yellow 5 is also associated with hypersensitivity-type reactions in a small number of people, which is why the FDA has long required it to be declared by name rather than as a generic color. These are group-level and individual findings, and sensitivity varies from person to person, so Clear Label flags it for transparency rather than declaring harm to everyone. In the United States, dye authorization has drawn renewed attention after California restricted several dyes in school foods in 2023.
In the aisle
Where it commonly shows up
- Candy and gummies
- Yellow and orange sodas and sports drinks
- Brightly colored breakfast cereals
- Boxed macaroni and cheese and instant noodles
- Pickles, condiments, and sauces
- Snack chips and flavored crackers
- Some chewable medications and gummy vitamins
Practical
Reading the label
US labels list it as Yellow 5, FD&C Yellow No. 5, or tartrazine, and it must be named specifically rather than hidden under 'artificial color'. In the EU it appears as E102. It shows up in some foods that are not obviously yellow, where it adjusts or brightens color.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid it
Some people choose products colored with turmeric, annatto, or beta-carotene instead. Worth knowing that annatto is itself a low-severity Clear Label flag because of rare sensitivity reactions, so reading the full label cuts both ways.
FAQ
Common questions
Is Yellow 5 banned in Europe?
No. Yellow 5 (E102) is permitted in the EU, but most products containing it must carry a warning about possible effects on children's activity and attention. That labeling rule led many European manufacturers to switch to natural colors.
Does Yellow 5 affect every child?
No. The trials behind the EU warning observed effects in some children, not all, and individual sensitivity varies widely. Logging foods and behavior over time is the honest way to see whether it matters in your household.
Why is Yellow 5 always listed by name?
The FDA requires Yellow 5 to be declared specifically because a small number of people report hypersensitivity-type reactions to it. That naming rule makes it easier for sensitive individuals to spot and avoid.
Citations
Sources
Citation
Primary reference
About this page: the definition, label names, severity, and regulatory chips come from the clearlabel ingredient taxonomy, the same data the scanner uses to score products. Research summaries describe associations reported in published studies, not diagnoses; individual responses vary. Scan any product with clearlabel to see which of its ingredients carry flags.