Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — Which Is Worse?

FactorRed 40 (Allura Red AC)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)
E-NumberE129E110
CategoryArtificial ColorArtificial Color
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved since 1971. Currently under review as part of the 2025-2026 FDA food dye reassessment. Listed on the FDA's …FDA-approved. Listed under 21 CFR 74.706. No special labeling requirement beyond standard color additive declaration.
EFSA StatusEFSA re-evaluated in 2009 and maintained approval with an ADI of 7 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires warning label: 'ma…EFSA re-evaluated in 2009 and reduced the ADI from 2.5 to 1-4 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires the children's behavior…
Banned In——
Products Found2821

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Red 40 (Allura Red AC)

Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)

Which Products Use Each?

28
products contain Red 40 (Allura Red AC)
21
products contain Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Red 40 (Allura Red AC) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse than the other based on current data.

Both ingredients should be consumed mindfully. Use CheckIt AI to scan products and avoid whichever ones concern you most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Red 40 (Allura Red AC) or Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) worse?
Both Red 40 (Allura Red AC) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between Red 40 (Allura Red AC) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)?
Both are artificial colors. Red 40 (Allura Red AC) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 28 products. Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 21 products.
Are Red 40 (Allura Red AC) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) banned?
Red 40 (Allura Red AC) is not currently banned in any major market. Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both Red 40 (Allura Red AC) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Red 40 (Allura Red AC) and Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Pages

Related Comparisons

Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine)Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI)Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Titanium DioxideRed 40 (Allura Red AC) vs AnnattoYellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI)Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Titanium DioxideYellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Annatto
Red 40 (Allura Red AC) Deep Dive Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) Deep Dive All 180 Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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Ingredient Safety

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Food Safety Answers

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Free-From Finder

Protein Bars Without Seed OilsCereal Without Artificial ColorsSnacks Without PreservativesYogurt Without Artificial SweetenersChips Without Seed OilsCookies Without Artificial ColorsCandy Without Artificial ColorsSoda Without Artificial SweetenersFrozen Meals Without MSGBaby Food Without SugarEnergy Drinks Without SweetenersProtein Bars Without SweetenersSnacks Without Seed OilsCereal Without SugarBread Without PreservativesIce Cream Without CarrageenanPasta Without Gluten

Store Scan Results

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Ingredient Comparisons

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-40-vs-yellow-6
MLA"Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-40-vs-yellow-6.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-40-vs-yellow-6">Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsred40vsyellow6, title = {Red 40 (Allura Red AC) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/red-40-vs-yellow-6}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }