Color Additive · CAS 1934-21-0 · EU E102
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. 1 U.S. state regulates it.
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; among state-regulated additives it ranks #7 of 8.
- #7 of 8 among state-regulated additives
The verdict
According to state food-safety statutes PlainIngredients tracks, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) ranks #7 of 8 among additives with at least one U.S. state regulation (most-regulated first).
- 2/5
- Caution
- #7 of 8
- state-ban corpus rank
- Approved
- EU status
- 1
- state regulation
State-action and regulatory snapshot
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine): 1 independent U.S. state statute sit beside the federal row, start there, then FDA/EU.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. State Actions | 1 state · #7 of 8 | State legislative records |
| 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 |
| 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.
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
Regulatory Timeline
Included in FDA food dye phaseout.
State Regulations
| State | Status | Effective Date | Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Warning Required | 2028-01-01 | AB 2316 |
State-action peer axes
Nationwide peers beside 1 state statute
State-action mass (1 statutes) frames safety-score peers (2/5); product-count column omitted on state-action-led pages.
Same 2/5 score, different state-action mass
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) safe to consume?
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) scores 2/5 (Caution). FDA status is Approved, yet 1 U.S. state regulates it on their own statutes, that state-action gap is the lead signal here, not the federal label alone.
What is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) used for in food?
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is used as Mac and cheese, sports drinks, candy, cereal, pickles (Color Additive). State statutes (1) matter more for this additive than the use list alone.
Where does Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one U.S. state regulation, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) ranks #7 of 8 by the number of distinct states regulating it (same sort as the state-ban rankings page). See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
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 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.