Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI) — Which Is Worse?

FactorYellow 5 (Tartrazine)Caramel Color (4-MEI)
E-NumberE102—
CategoryArtificial ColorArtificial Color
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved. Since 1979, FDA requires Yellow 5 to be specifically listed on food labels (21 CFR 74.705) due to potentia…FDA-approved. FDA states that a consumer would need to drink more than 1,000 cans of cola per day to reach 4-MEI doses s…
EFSA StatusEFSA re-evaluated in 2009, maintaining an ADI of 7.5 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires the same warning label as Red 40…EFSA approved with specific 4-MEI limits. ADI varies by class: Class I and II have no specific ADI; Class III ADI 300 mg…
Banned In——
Products Found2624

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

Caramel Color (4-MEI)

Which Products Use Each?

26
products contain Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
24
products contain Caramel Color (4-MEI)

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Caramel Color (4-MEI) 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 Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) or Caramel Color (4-MEI) worse?
Both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Caramel Color (4-MEI) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Caramel Color (4-MEI)?
Both are artificial colors. Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 26 products. Caramel Color (4-MEI) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 24 products.
Are Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Caramel Color (4-MEI) banned?
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is not currently banned in any major market. Caramel Color (4-MEI) is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Caramel Color (4-MEI)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Caramel Color (4-MEI) and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Comparisons

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Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Deep Dive Caramel Color (4-MEI) 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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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-caramel-color
MLA"Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-caramel-color.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-caramel-color">Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsyellow5vscaramelcolor, title = {Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-caramel-color}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }