Synthetic dye
Also known as: Tartrazine, FD&C Yellow No. 5, E102, E 102, C.I. 19140, FD&C Yellow #5, Acid Yellow 23
Yellow 5, also known as tartrazine (E102 / FD&C Yellow No. 5), is a synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye used to colour a wide range of foods and beverages such as soft drinks, candies, snack foods, desserts and condiments. It is one of the most widely used artificial food colours and is regulated as a certified color additive in the US and an authorised food colour in the EU.
Foods and drinks containing the colour must be labelled: "[name or E number of the colour(s)]: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children". This applies to the six "Southampton colours" including Tartrazine (E 102).
The EU legally requires foods containing Tartrazine (Yellow 5) to carry a warning that the colour may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.
Interpretation: "Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population."
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (the Southampton study) found that a mix of artificial colours including tartrazine, with sodium benzoate, increased hyperactivity in children in the general population.
Foods for human use that contain FD&C Yellow No. 5, including butter, cheese, and ice cream, shall specifically declare the presence of FD&C Yellow No. 5 by listing the color additive as FD&C Yellow No. 5 among the list of ingredients.
US FDA regulation requires foods containing Yellow 5 to specifically name FD&C Yellow No. 5 in the ingredient list (it cannot be hidden under a generic "color added" label).
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