Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine) — Which Is Worse?

FactorYellow 5 (Tartrazine)Red 3 (Erythrosine)
E-NumberE102E127
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 banned Red 3 from cosmetics and external drugs in 1990 due to thyroid cancer evidence in rats. It remained legal in …
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 an ADI of 0.1 mg/kg body weight/day — one of the lowest ADIs for any food dye. Under ongoing review a…
Banned In——
Products Found264

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

Red 3 (Erythrosine)

Which Products Use Each?

26
products contain Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
4
products contain Red 3 (Erythrosine)

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Red 3 (Erythrosine) 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 Red 3 (Erythrosine) worse?
Both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Red 3 (Erythrosine) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Red 3 (Erythrosine)?
Both are artificial colors. Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 26 products. Red 3 (Erythrosine) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 4 products.
Are Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Red 3 (Erythrosine) banned?
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is not currently banned in any major market. Red 3 (Erythrosine) is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Red 3 (Erythrosine)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and Red 3 (Erythrosine) 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)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Titanium DioxideYellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs AnnattoYellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine)Red 3 (Erythrosine) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Red 3 (Erythrosine) vs Caramel Color (4-MEI)Red 3 (Erythrosine) vs Titanium DioxideRed 3 (Erythrosine) vs Annatto
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Deep Dive Red 3 (Erythrosine) 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 Red 3 (Erythrosine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-red-3
MLA"Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-red-3.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-red-3">Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsyellow5vsred3, title = {Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) vs Red 3 (Erythrosine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/yellow-5-vs-red-3}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }