Synthetic dye

Yellow 6

Also known as: C.I. 15985, Orange Yellow S, Sunset Yellow Lake, E 110, Sunset Yellow, FCF, FD&C Yellow 6 Lake, FD&C Yellow No. 6, E110, Yellow 6 Lake, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, CI 15985, Sunset yellow FCF, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Lake, CI Food Yellow 3, Sunset Yellow FCF, Yellow 6 Aluminum Lake

Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF, E110) is a synthetic azo dye used to give an orange-yellow color to foods such as candies, snack foods, baked goods, sodas, and cereals. It is one of the most widely used certified color additives in the United States and is permitted in the EU under the number E110.

Is Yellow 6 safe? Is it banned or restricted? Below is the cited record — every claim linked to the regulator, study, or report that made it.

The charges against Yellow 6

5 findings

Exhibit 01

Warning

Texas Senate Bill 25 (89th Legislature, 2025) lists this substance among 44 ingredients that trigger a mandatory consumer warning label under Texas Health & Safety Code Sec. 431.0815. The label reads: "WARNING: This product contains an ingredient that is not recommended for human consumption by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom." It applies to food labels developed or copyrighted on or after January 1, 2027. On February 11, 2026 the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas preliminarily enjoined enforcement against the plaintiff trade groups and their members; Texas appealed to the Fifth Circuit on March 5, 2026.

Named in Texas SB 25 (2025) among 44 ingredients requiring a consumer warning label: "not recommended for human consumption by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom." The requirement applies to labels developed or copyrighted on or after Jan 1, 2027, and was preliminarily enjoined by a federal court (W.D. Tex., Feb 11 2026); Texas’s appeal is pending at the Fifth Circuit.

Tier 1 · RegulatoryUS-TXTexas Legislature / Texas DSHS· 2025-06-22

Exhibit 02

Warning

The EU requires foods containing Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow, E110) to carry the warning "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex V - one of the 'Southampton six' colours).

Tier 1 · RegulatoryEUEuropean Union (Regulation 1333/2008)· 2010-07-20

Exhibit 03

Concern

Sunset Yellow: may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children

EU law requires foods containing Sunset Yellow (E110) to carry a mandatory label warning that the dye may adversely affect children's activity and attention.

Tier 1 · RegulatoryEUFood Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI)· 2010-07-20

Exhibit 04

Caution

the EFSA ANS Panel lowered the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110) to 1 mg/kg bw/day, made temporary, based on new studies reporting significant effects on the testes in rats

In its 2009 re-evaluation, EFSA's ANS Panel cut the Acceptable Daily Intake for Sunset Yellow FCF to 1 mg/kg bw/day (temporary) on the basis of new evidence of effects on the testes in rats.

Tier 1 · RegulatoryEUEFSA Journal (European Food Safety Authority)· 2009-11-12

Exhibit 05

ReassuranceInformational

the McCann et al. study provided limited evidence that the mixtures of additives tested had a small effect on the activity and attention of some children

EFSA's assessment of the McCann (Southampton) study found limited evidence that the tested colour mixtures, which included Sunset Yellow E110, had a small effect on children's activity and attention.

Tier 1 · RegulatoryEUEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA)· 2008-03-14

Food Court reports publicly available findings from regulatory bodies, peer-reviewed research, and journalism. We cite every claim. We are not your doctor — we are a search engine for what's known about your food. Follow the links to the original sources.