Tartrazine is a synthetic yellow food dye. It is also called FD&C yellow #5. Tartrazine is one of several azo food dyes made from petroleum products, and among several dyes and food additives studied for potential health impacts.
Research has shown that the possibility of tartrazine causing other skin problems, like acute urticaria (or skin rash), is low. It's estimated that less than 0.1% of people have a sensitivity or intolerance to Yellow 5 food dye. These people may have hives, itching, coughing, and vomiting when exposed to it.
FD&C Yellow No. 5 is a FDA-approved color commonly used to dye dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, vitamins and antacids. Commonly known as tartrazine, Yellow No. 5 is an azo dye that imparts a lemon-yellow color to foods, drugs and cosmetics.
The FDA requires all color additives to be declared by their listed names or appropriate abbreviations on product labels so that they can be identified by consumers. On medicine labels, the certified color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5 must also be identified by its uncertified name, “tartrazine.”
A review included in a 2012 issue of the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health reported that red dye 40, yellow No. 5, and yellow No. 6, have all been found to be contaminated with carcinogens. One of these carcinogens is benzidine, which has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer.
Skittles, Pop-Tarts, Gatorade and those yummy Little Debbie's products are banned in the European Union because contain dyes like yellow 5, yellow 6 and red 40. The EU banned these artificial colors after their scientific research indicated they could be harmful to health, especially to young children.
Allergic reactions: Yellow 5 can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals, including itching, hives, and swelling of the tongue and throat. Asthma: Consumption of yellow 5 may cause asthmatic symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath.
Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are widely used flavoring agents in the United States. However, yellow 5 has been banned in Finland and Norway due to adverse side effects; Yellow 6 is also banned in Finland.
Frosted Flakes are banned in the entire European Union and Japan. Their reasoning is not because of the added sugar but the added preservatives. Frosted Flakes, as well as Rice Krispies and several other Kellogg brand cereals, contain a preservative called BHT.
Stove Top stuffing
But the mix contains preservatives BHA and BHT, which are suspected to be carcinogenic and to impair blood clotting. This has caused these preservatives to be banned in the United Kingdom, Japan, and several European countries.
Yellow dye 5 is one of the most commonly used food additives. The chemical name of yellow dye 5 is tartrazine. Tartrazine is what gives Mountain Dew its yellow color.
Foods that may contain FD&C Yellow #5:
Cereal, like Lucky Charms, Cap'N Crunch. Chips, like Doritos (nacho & cool ranch), Ruffles (cheddar & sour cream), Fritos (honey bbq twists), Cheetos (flamin hot)
Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5 food dyes
The colors are not banned outright in the EU, nor are they banned in the US. But unlike in the US, European authorities must include a warning label that details the risks associated with the dyes.
Tartrazine is a permitted food colour in both Australia and New Zealand.
Some food dyes, particularly Red #40 and Yellow #5, can disrupt normal nervous system function, which may increase symptoms of anxiety after eating them.
FD&C Yellow 5 is a synthetic dye produced from petroleum; this dye is FDA-approved for use in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
The culprit of this ban is the hydrogenated cottonseed oil ingredient in the crackers, which is a type of trans fat.
Gatorade was also banned due to the presence of Yellow 5 and 6, which are artificial ingredients banned in the European Union in all food produced for children. While foods in most of the European Union containing these ingredients must be labeled, Norway and Austria still prohibit them.
Ritz crackers are prohibited in the United Kingdom for the same reason that they are prohibited in Canada: the presence of potassium bromate. In the United Kingdom, food makers are likewise required to mark items containing potassium bromate, and it is prohibited to sell any food products containing this addition.
Red Dye #40: The additive that gives a Flamin' Hot Cheeto its artificial red color.
The additive, denoted as Red 40 or Allura red on ingredients label, is the most prevalent dye used in many popular snacks and drinks, including Skittles, Doritos and Pepsi, as well as some cosmetics.
Yellow 5 – Found in soft drinks, other beverages, baked goods, breakfast cereals, processed vegetables, chips, pickles, honey, mustard, gelatin desserts, pudding, ready to use frostings, dessert powders, candy, other foods, gum, cosmetics, medicines.