Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Side Effects

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is a artificial food dye with 2 high-severity side effects. Found in 27 products in our database. FDA approved.

5
Known Side Effects
27
Products Contain It
2
High Severity
4
Safer Alternatives

What Is Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is a synthetic lemon-yellow dye derived from petroleum. It is the second most commonly used food dye in the US and is known to cause allergic reactions, especially in aspirin-sensitive individuals.

Also known as:
TartrazineFD&C Yellow No. 5E102Yellow 5 Lake

Known Side Effects

High Risk Hyperactivity in children
High Risk Severe allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive individuals
Moderate Hives and urticaria
Moderate Asthma exacerbation
Low Potential genotoxicity

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA Status

FDA approved. Required to be listed on labels but no health warnings required.

🇪🇺 EU Status

Legal with mandatory warning label about effects on children's attention and activity.

Scientific References

  1. McCann et al. (2007) — Southampton study on food dyes and hyperactivity
  2. FDA acknowledges allergic sensitivity, especially in aspirin-sensitive individuals
  3. Multiple European reviews leading to mandatory warning labels

Products Containing Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) (27 found)

These products were found to contain yellow 5 (tartrazine) or its variants in our database of 26,000+ grocery products.

#ProductBrandScore
1Trail Mix Snack PacksKirkland,Kirkland Signature,M&M's0/100
2Trail MixKirkland0/100
3Trail MixKirkland1/100
4ORIGINAL GRAPE, GREEN APPLE, LEMON, STRAWBERRY, ORANGE BITE SIZE CANDIES, ORIGINALMars Chocolate North America LLC1/100
5Skittles LittlesSkittles9/100
6Skittles Pop'dSkittles12/100
7EquateUnknown16/100
8Trail MixKirkland18/100
9PEANUT CHOCOLATE CANDIES, PEANUTMars Chocolate North America LLC20/100
10ASSORTED CARAMELS SUGAR FREE CHOCOLATE CANDY, ASSORTED CARAMELSRussell Stover Candies Inc.20/100
11ORIGINAL GRAPE, LEMON, LIME, STRAWBERRY, ORANGE JELLY BEANS, ORIGINALMars, Inc.25/100
12ORIGINAL BITE SIZE CANDIES, ORIGINALMars, Inc.30/100
13Skittles Original CandySkittles30/100
14Great Value Nacho Cheese Tortilla ChipsWalmart35/100
15great value cheddar and sour cream ripple chipsUnknown35/100

Safer Alternatives to Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

Turmeric extract (curcumin)SaffronAnnattoBeta-carotene
📬

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects of Yellow 5?
Yellow 5 can cause hyperactivity in children, severe allergic reactions (especially in aspirin-sensitive people), hives, asthma exacerbation, and behavioral issues. The EU requires warning labels on products containing it.
Can Yellow 5 cause allergic reactions?
Yes. Yellow 5 is known to cause allergic reactions including hives, asthma symptoms, and rhinitis, particularly in people sensitive to aspirin.

⚕️ Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Side effect data is compiled from published scientific studies and regulatory assessments. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance. Last updated: 2026-03-05.

Other Ingredient Side Effects

Red 40 (Allura Red AC) Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) Red 3 (Erythrosine) Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) Aspartame Sucralose Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) All Ingredient Side Effects Banned in Europe Ingredient Encyclopedia
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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/side-effects/yellow-5
MLA"Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/side-effects/yellow-5.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/side-effects/yellow-5">Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026sideeffectsyellow5, title = {Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/side-effects/yellow-5}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }