Foods to Avoid: What Foods Are High in Tartrazine?

January 13, 2026 •

3 min read

Over $44 billion is spent annually on food additives and preservatives, and among the most scrutinized is tartrazine. This synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye, also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5 or E102, is found in a wide variety of processed commercial foods and beverages. Understanding what foods are high in tartrazine can help consumers make informed dietary choices.

Quick Summary

Tartrazine, or Yellow 5, is a synthetic food dye added to numerous processed foods and beverages to create a yellow or green color. This guide identifies many products containing high concentrations of tartrazine, from sweets and drinks to condiments and snack foods.

Key Points

Prevalent in Processed Foods: Tartrazine is a common artificial dye, also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5, found in numerous processed foods and beverages.
Found in Many Drink Products: Sports drinks, energy drinks, powdered mixes, and soft drinks are major sources of tartrazine.
Colors Confectionery and Desserts: Candies, gummy bears, ice cream, puddings, and cake mixes frequently contain this yellow dye.
Common in Snacks and Condiments: Flavored chips, processed cheese, yellow mustard, and pickles are common tartrazine-containing items.
Appears in Cereal and Instant Foods: Tartrazine can be found in some breakfast cereals, instant soups, and noodle products.
Listed on Labels as 'Yellow 5' or 'E102': Always check the ingredient list for 'Yellow 5' (US) or 'E102' (Europe) to identify its presence in a product.
Associated with Potential Sensitivities: While generally recognized as safe by regulators, tartrazine has been linked to allergic-type reactions in a small population.

Common Sources of Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow No. 5)

Tartrazine is a highly prevalent artificial food coloring because of its stability and low cost. It is widely used in processed commercial foods that require a bright yellow, green, or orange hue. Consumers should be aware that tartrazine is not just limited to yellow-colored products; it is often combined with other dyes, such as Brilliant Blue FCF (E133), to create green shades. Checking ingredient lists for "Yellow 5" or "tartrazine" is the most reliable way to identify its presence.

Beverages and Drink Mixes

Some of the highest concentrations of tartrazine are found in beverages, where it is used to create bright, appealing colors. Powdered drink mixes, sports drinks, and energy drinks are particularly common culprits. Carbonated soft drinks, fruit cordials, and some alcoholic beverages also contain this additive.

Soft Drinks and Juices: Bright yellow or green sodas, some fruit juices, and cordials.
Sports and Energy Drinks: Many brands of these brightly colored beverages contain Yellow 5.
Powdered Drink Mixes: Products like instant lemonade or punch mixes frequently use tartrazine for coloring.

Confectionery and Desserts

Visually appealing treats are often colored with tartrazine to enhance their look. The confectionery industry relies on this dye for candies, chewing gum, and baked goods.

Candy: Hard candies, gummy bears, marshmallows, and colored sweets often contain Yellow 5.
Desserts: Instant puddings, gelatins, custards, and ice creams are frequent sources.
Baked Goods: Cake mixes, pastries with artificial lemon fillings, and biscuits often use tartrazine.
Icing and Frostings: Premade icings and cake decorating gels are a common source of tartrazine.

Snacks and Condiments

Processed snack foods and condiments also contribute significantly to tartrazine intake. The additive helps achieve the desired bright color in products that would otherwise appear bland.

Flavored Chips: Popular brands of flavored corn chips, like some nacho cheese varieties, use Yellow 5.
Mustard: The bright yellow color of mustard is often the result of added tartrazine.
Pickles: Some pickled products use tartrazine to maintain a vibrant color.
Processed Cheese: Certain types of processed cheese or cheese sauces contain tartrazine.

Cereal, Soups, and Other Prepared Foods

Tartrazine is not restricted to sugary or snack items. It can be found in a variety of other processed foods, including cereals and instant meals.

Breakfast Cereals: Many yellow-colored breakfast cereals contain tartrazine.
Soups: Instant soup mixes and broth cubes can be colored with Yellow 5.
Rice and Noodles: Certain instant noodle products and colored rice dishes, such as paella, may use this dye.

Natural vs. Artificial Coloring: A Comparison

To highlight the difference between tartrazine-colored products and natural alternatives, consider the following comparison. This table demonstrates how food manufacturers can achieve similar visual effects using either synthetic dyes or naturally derived colorants, emphasizing the prominence of artificial additives in processed options.


Product Category	Tartrazine-Containing Example	Natural Alternative (and Coloring Agent)
Yellow Soda	A popular citrus-flavored soda	A natural lemon-lime soda using beta-carotene or turmeric for color
Cheese Sauce	Processed cheese sauce for nachos	A homemade cheese sauce using annatto or paprika for a warm, natural hue
Mustard	Store-bought yellow mustard	A stone-ground mustard made with turmeric and other spices
Pudding Mix	Instant lemon pudding mix	A homemade lemon curd or pudding using real lemon zest and juice
Gummy Candy	Assorted bright yellow gummy bears	Naturally colored fruit snacks using fruit and vegetable juices

Checking for Tartrazine on Food Labels

Regulatory requirements vary globally, so it is important to know how to identify tartrazine depending on where you are. In the United States, FD&C Yellow No. 5 must be declared by name. In Europe, it is listed as E102, though some products carry a warning about potential effects on children's activity. Becoming a diligent label reader is the most effective defense against unintentional consumption.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices About Tartrazine

Tartrazine, or FD&C Yellow No. 5, is a widespread artificial colorant used to enhance the appearance of many processed foods, beverages, and other products. From yellow soft drinks and powdered mixes to candies, chips, and even mustard, this dye is prevalent throughout the supermarket. While regulatory bodies consider it safe in specified amounts, concerns persist regarding potential allergic reactions and behavioral effects in sensitive individuals. By understanding which products are high in tartrazine and learning to read ingredient labels, consumers can make more informed choices about their diet and health.

Please note: This article is for informational purposes only. Consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalized dietary advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tartrazine is a synthetic, lemon-yellow azo dye used as a food coloring. It is also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5 in the United States and E102 in Europe.

Not necessarily. While tartrazine is a common yellow dye, many yellow foods get their color from natural sources like turmeric or beta-carotene. Always check the ingredient list to be sure.

Tartrazine is widely used because it is a stable and inexpensive way to produce a bright yellow, green, or orange color that is attractive to consumers.

Yes, FD&C Yellow No. 5 is the name for tartrazine in the United States. It refers to the same synthetic food dye.

Yes, some brands of processed cheese and cheese sauces use tartrazine to achieve a consistent yellow-orange color.

For most people, tartrazine is safe in the amounts found in food. However, a small percentage of the population may be sensitive and experience allergic-type reactions, such as hives or asthma.

Tartrazine can also be found in many non-food items, including some cosmetics, personal care products like soaps and shampoos, and certain medications, such as vitamins and antacids.