Artificial additives
Yellow 6 (sunset yellow)
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 6
- yellow no. 6
- sunset yellow
- e110
Regulation
Regulatory status
- European Union Warning label required
- Japan Restricted
- United States Restricted
Explainer
In plain language
Yellow 6, also called sunset yellow or E110, is a synthetic azo dye manufactured from petroleum-derived raw materials. It gives food and drinks an orange to yellow-orange color and is one of the more common artificial colors used in the United States. Like other dyes, its only purpose is appearance.
Assessment
Why it is flagged
A 2007 randomized trial published in The Lancet, the Southampton study, associated mixtures of synthetic dyes, including Yellow 6, with increased hyperactivity in some children from the general population. Because of that evidence, the EU requires most foods containing Yellow 6 to carry the warning that it 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'. EFSA reviewed sunset yellow and at one point lowered its acceptable daily intake before later revising it, reflecting how the data has been debated. These are group-level associations, and individual sensitivity varies, so Clear Label flags it for transparency rather than as a settled harm. In the United States, dye authorization has drawn fresh scrutiny after California restricted several dyes in school foods in 2023.
In the aisle
Where it commonly shows up
- Candy and gummies
- Orange sodas and sports drinks
- Brightly colored breakfast cereals
- Snack chips and cheese-flavored snacks
- Boxed macaroni and cheese
- Baked goods, frosting, and cake mixes
- Some chewable medications and gummy vitamins
Practical
Reading the label
US labels list it as Yellow 6, FD&C Yellow No. 6, or sunset yellow, and it must be named specifically rather than grouped under 'artificial color'. In the EU it appears as E110. It often turns up in orange-tinted snacks and drinks, sometimes alongside Yellow 5 or Red 40.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid it
Some people choose products colored with paprika extract, annatto, or beta-carotene instead. Worth knowing that annatto is itself a low-severity Clear Label flag because of rare sensitivity reactions, so checking the full label is still useful.
FAQ
Common questions
Is Yellow 6 banned in Europe?
No. Yellow 6 (E110) is permitted in the EU, but most products containing it must carry a warning about possible effects on children's activity and attention. That rule led many European brands to reformulate with natural colors.
Does Yellow 6 affect every child?
No. The trials behind the EU warning observed effects in some children, not all, and sensitivity varies widely between individuals. Tracking foods and behavior over time is the honest way to see whether it matters for your household.
Is Yellow 6 the same as Yellow 5?
No. Yellow 6 (sunset yellow) is a more orange dye, while Yellow 5 (tartrazine) is a brighter lemon yellow. They are different compounds and are sometimes used together in the same product.
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.