FD&C Yellow No. 5: The “Lemon Yellow” Dye (Tartrazine)

FD&C Yellow No. 5, also known as Tartrazine, is a synthetic azo dye used to provide a bright, lemon-yellow color. It is one of the most widely used and recognizable food colorants in the world, often blended with other dyes to create shades of green or orange.

Quick Facts: Yellow No. 5 at a Glance

Attribute	Detail
Common Names	Tartrazine, E102, Acid Yellow 23, C.I. 19140
Hue	Bright Lemon Yellow
Solubility	Highly soluble in water 200 g/L
Origin	Synthetic azo dye derived from petroleum

Attribute	Detail
Common Names	Tartrazine, E102, Acid Yellow 23, C.I. 19140
Hue	Bright Lemon Yellow
Solubility	Highly soluble in water 200 g/L
Origin	Synthetic azo dye derived from petroleum

History and Regulation

Yellow No. 5 has a long history, having been first developed in 1884 by Swiss chemist Johann Heinrich Ziegler. It was eventually included in the 1938 FD&C Act as a certified color permitted for use in foods, drugs, and cosmetics.

Today, it is subject to strict batch certification by the FDA to ensure it meets purity standards. Like Yellow No. 6, the European Union requires a warning label on products containing Yellow No. 5, stating it “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”.

Common Food and Household Uses

Yellow No. 5 is extremely versatile and found in a vast range of products:

Beverages: Soft drinks (like Mountain Dew), sports drinks, and powdered mixes.
Confections: Gummy bears, marshmallows, hard candies, and cotton candy.
Processed Foods: Cereals, flavored chips, instant puddings, pickles, and mustard.
Non-Food Items: Vitamins, medications (cough drops, antacids), shampoos, and cosmetics.

🎨 The Complete Guide to Food Coloring Safety

This article is part of my comprehensive series on synthetic food dyes and their impact on health and regulation.

Main Overview: Why Do They Put Synthetic Colors in Foods?

Related Guides: Blue No. 1, Yellow No. 6, Green No. 3, and Red No. 40

Safety and Sensitivity

While Yellow No. 5 is considered safe for the majority of the population, it is known for causing specific sensitivities:

Aspirin Sensitivity: There is a known cross-sensitivity where individuals allergic to aspirin may also react to Tartrazine.
Allergic Reactions: In susceptible individuals, it can trigger hives (urticaria), itching, or asthma symptoms.
Labeling Requirements: Because of these sensitivities, the FDA specifically requires Yellow No. 5 to be listed by name on food and drug labels, rather than just as “artificial color”.
Daily Intake: The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is set at 5 mg/kg of body weight by the FDA.