FDA Status
Approved
Color Additive · CAS 1934-21-0 · EU E102
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. 1 U.S. state regulates it.
2.0 / 5
Composite safety Caution
Score 2 of 5
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine): 2/5 (Caution)
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is FDA-approved, though 1 U.S. state has enacted independent regulation on it, a sign federal and state views on this additive diverge. Its composite safety score is 2 out of 5 (Caution), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved.
- Regulated by 1 U.S. state, independent of federal FDA status
The verdict
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is FDA-approved, but 1 state has acted independently, a sign federal and state views on this additive diverge.
- 2/5
- Caution
- Approved
- FDA status
- Approved
- EU status
- 1
- state regulation
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) (E102), CAS 1934-21-0, is a color additive additive holding a composite safety score of 2 out of 5 (Caution). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Substances Added to Food inventory, it is currently classified as Approved, while the European Union lists it as Approved. It is most commonly used as Mac and cheese, sports drinks, candy, cereal, pickles.
Regulatory pressure is notable: 1 U.S. state has enacted legislation targeting Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), including California. State actions frequently diverge from federal FDA policy, with legislative trends tending toward stricter controls than the federal baseline. Our regulatory timeline records 1 distinct regulatory event spanning multiple jurisdictions, illustrating how oversight has evolved over time.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), which factors directly into the assigned safety score. The European Food Safety Authority has published an evaluation dated 2009-11-12. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E102 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 1934-21-0 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Color Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 2 / 5 (Caution) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 1 state | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | Not yet tracked | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
EU Status
Approved
E102
U.S. State Regulations
1 state
California
Safety Assessment
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)'s 2/5 (Caution) score reflects where this specific ingredient lands on that scale. The FDA has approved Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) for use in food products under specified conditions.
Notably, 1 US state has enacted regulations targeting Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), reflecting growing legislative attention to food additive safety at the state level. These state actions may differ from federal FDA policy and can range from outright bans to usage restrictions in certain product categories.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with Yellow 5 (Tartrazine). Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
How Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) compares
Where a safety score of 2/5 falls among all 4,509 scored ingredients tracked on PlainIngredients.
Ingredients by safety score (Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) highlighted)
43 of 4,509 scored ingredients (1%) share a safety score of 2/5.
What is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?
Synthetic lemon-yellow dye. One of the most common food dyes.
Health Concerns
- May cause allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive individuals. Linked to hyperactivity in children.
Common Uses
Mac and cheese, sports drinks, candy, cereal, pickles
Regulatory Timeline
2025-04-15 FDA
Phaseout Announced
Included in FDA food dye phaseout.
State Regulations
| State | Status | Effective Date | Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Warning Required | 2028-01-01 | AB 2316 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) safe to consume?
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) has a safety score of 2/5 (Caution). Scientific studies have raised health concerns. It is regulated in 1 US state. Check with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
What is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) used for in food?
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is commonly used as: Mac and cheese, sports drinks, candy, cereal, pickles. It belongs to the Color Additive category of food additives.
Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) banned in any US states?
Yes, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is regulated in 1 US state: California. Regulations vary from full bans to restrictions on specific uses.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?
The FDA classifies Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) as "Approved", while the EU status is "Approved" (E102). The FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks, the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
What health concerns are associated with Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Yellow 5 (Tartrazine): May cause allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive individuals. Linked to hyperactivity in children.. These findings inform its safety score of 2/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
How is the safety score for Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) calculated?
The safety score of 2/5 for Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
Related Color Additive Ingredients
What to do about Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
This additive is flagged, worth checking labels for.
- Check the FDA status (Approved) and EU status (Approved) before assuming it is risk-free. How we score
- 1 state has acted on this additive, see which and why. State actions
- Scan a whole ingredient label at once to flag the concerning entries. Label checker
Safety scores summarise regulatory status and published concerns; they are not medical or dietary advice.
Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.