Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · Evidence strength: Moderate · How we grade evidence

In plain words: Yellow 5 is a man-made lemon-yellow dye found in about 1 in 13 US packaged foods. Like other artificial dyes, it can make some children a bit more hyperactive. It is not shown to cause cancer. Turmeric, annatto and saffron are natural yellow swaps.

Also listed on labels as: FD&C Yellow No. 5, Yellow 5 Lake, Tartrazine, E102, artificial color

What is it, and why is it in food?

Yellow 5, also called tartrazine, is a synthetic dye that makes foods look bright yellow or, mixed with Blue 1, green. You'll find it in candy, chips and cheese-flavored snacks, pickles, drinks, frosting and boxed mixes. It adds color only.

What does the science say?

• What the research looks at: Tartrazine is one of the six colors that carry the EU's behavior warning, which followed the UK children's research.¹
• The best trial: In a 2007 UK study, about 300 children drank juice with a mix of artificial colors plus the preservative sodium benzoate, or a look-alike placebo, without knowing which. On average, the colored drinks made both 3-year-olds and 8- to 9-year-olds a little more hyperactive. The effect was small, and because the preservative was in every test drink, the colors were not tested alone.²
• Pooling many studies: A 2012 review of the research found a small effect on parent-rated behavior. It shrank after correcting for studies that never got published, and it was not reliable in studies that used only US-approved colors. Teachers' ratings showed no clear effect, but the highest-quality studies did. The authors estimated food colors might play a part for about 8% of children with ADHD symptoms.³
• California's 2021 review: State scientists looked at 25 challenge trials. Sixteen found some link with behavior, and 13 of those were statistically significant. They said the safe-intake levels FDA set decades ago may not protect children who are sensitive.⁴
• Cancer: Research has not shown that the dyes still allowed in the US cause cancer at permitted levels. Red 3 is the exception, and that story is about a rat-only effect (see Red 3 (Erythrosine)).
• Allergy-type reactions: People often ask whether Yellow 5 causes hives or asthma. Our research did not review that question, so we can't grade it here. If you think you react to it, talk with an allergist.

What do regulators say?

• In April 2025, the US Department of Health and Human Services and FDA announced a plan to work with companies to remove petroleum-based dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3) from the food supply by the end of 2027.⁵ That phase-out is voluntary. As of October 2026 these dyes are still legal in US food.
• FDA revoked Orange B (effective September 8, 2026), and the remaining synthetic dyes are on FDA's list of chemicals under review.⁶
• In the EU, foods with tartrazine (E102) must say it "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."¹

Who should be careful?

• Children who seem sensitive. If you notice your child gets wound up or can't focus after brightly colored candy or drinks, a two- to three-week dye-free trial is low-risk and easy. Talk with your pediatrician, especially if your child has ADHD.
• Everyone else: there's no need to panic about an occasional colored treat. The effect in studies is small on average.

How common is it in US foods?

In our check of USDA's Branded Foods database, 33,863 of 439,966 US packaged foods with an ingredient list name Yellow 5 (about 7.7%, or roughly 1 in 13).⁷ It shows up most often in: candy (10,813); cookies & biscuits (2,431); cakes, cupcakes, snack cakes (2,381); pickles, olives, peppers & relishes (1,759); popcorn, peanuts, seeds & related snacks (1,651). It's the second most common synthetic dye in our data, right behind Red 40, and it often appears together with Yellow 6 or Blue 1. These are label records companies sent to USDA, mostly in 2021 to 2023, so some products have changed since. Counts come from a text match of ingredient lists and are approximate.

Swaps and tips for families

• Choose snacks and mac and cheese colored with annatto, paprika or turmeric. The label will say so.
• Pickles and relish without dye taste the same. Look for "no artificial colors."
• For lemon frosting, try a pinch of turmeric (you won't taste it in small amounts) or a little saffron.
• Green candy and drinks often use Yellow 5 plus Blue 1. Spirulina-colored versions exist.

Beyond the plate: related non-food exposures

The same certified dyes appear in many children's medicines, chewable vitamins, toothpaste and cosmetics. If your family is avoiding dyes, check those labels too, and ask your pharmacist about dye-free versions of medicines.

Frequently asked questions

Is Yellow 5 safe to eat?

It's legal and most people eat it without obvious problems. Controlled trials show artificial dye mixes that include tartrazine can make some children more hyperactive, so it's a reasonable one to cut if your child seems sensitive.

Is tartrazine banned in Europe?

No, it's allowed in the EU as E102, but it must carry a warning about possible effects on activity and attention in children.

Does Yellow 5 cause cancer?

Research has not shown that Yellow 5 causes cancer at the levels allowed in food.

What is a natural substitute for Yellow 5?

Turmeric, annatto, paprika extract, saffron and beta-carotene are common natural yellow and orange colors.

Related guides

• Red 40 (Allura Red)
• Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)
• Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue)
• Food dyes and colors

Sources

Every source below was checked against PubMed, the publisher or the official page by our research team in October 2026.

1. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex V (colours that require the warning "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children"). Official Journal of the European Union (consolidated text), 2008. Link
2. Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet (London, England), 2007. PubMed 17825405 · doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61306-3
3. Meta-analysis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, restriction diet, and synthetic food color additives. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2012. PubMed 22176942 · doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2011.10.015
4. Potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on activity and attention in children: a review of the human and animal evidence (California OEHHA). Environ Health, 2022. PubMed 35484553 · doi:10.1186/s12940-022-00849-9
5. HHS/FDA press release, April 22 2025. Link
6. FDA constituent update (Orange B). Link
7. FoodData Central, Branded Foods dataset (release 2026-04-30). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2026. Link

This guide is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. If you think you or your child reacted to a food, talk to a health professional. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].