What foods have tartrazine in them? A guide to identifying the common food dye

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research, tartrazine (FD&C Yellow No. 5, E102) is the second most widely used artificial food coloring and is found in a vast array of processed commercial products. For individuals with sensitivities, understanding what foods have tartrazine in them is essential for managing their diet and potential allergic or intolerance reactions. This guide breaks down the most common sources of this bright yellow dye, providing the knowledge needed to make informed nutritional choices.

Quick Summary

Tartrazine, or E102, is a widely used artificial yellow food dye present in numerous processed foods and beverages. This article details the specific food categories most likely to contain tartrazine, explains how to find it on product labels, and discusses associated health concerns and natural alternatives.

Key Points

Identification of Tartrazine: Tartrazine is a common synthetic yellow food dye, also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5 or E102, used widely in processed foods, drinks, and snacks.
Hidden Sources in Food: It is frequently found in sugary beverages like Mountain Dew, colorful candies and desserts, snack chips (e.g., Doritos), and certain condiments like mustard.
Non-Food Products: Tartrazine is also present in many pharmaceuticals (capsules, vitamins), cosmetics, and personal care products.
Label Reading is Key: To avoid tartrazine, look for 'FD&C Yellow No. 5', 'E102', or 'tartrazine' on ingredient lists. EU regulations require a warning label for products containing it.
Intolerance and Allergies: While generally considered safe for most, a small, sensitive population may experience adverse reactions like hives, asthma, or skin rashes.
Natural Alternatives: Healthier options for yellow coloring include natural sources such as turmeric, beta-carotene, and saffron.

Understanding Tartrazine: The Ubiquitous Yellow Dye

Tartrazine, officially designated as FD&C Yellow No. 5 in the U.S. and E102 in Europe, is a synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye. Its primary function is to impart an attractive, vibrant yellow or green color to food, drinks, and other products. Manufacturers favor it for its stability and cost-effectiveness compared to many natural coloring options. Due to its widespread use, tartrazine is found in a surprisingly broad range of products, making diligent label-reading a necessity for those who wish to avoid it.

Common Food Categories Containing Tartrazine

Identifying foods with tartrazine can be challenging, as it hides in many processed and convenience items. Here is a breakdown of the most common categories:

Beverages and Drink Mixes

Soft Drinks and Sodas: Many lemon-lime and citrus-flavored soft drinks, including popular brands like Mountain Dew, contain tartrazine.
Sports and Energy Drinks: The vibrant colors of some sports and energy drinks often come from synthetic dyes like tartrazine.
Powdered Beverage Mixes: Products such as Kool-Aid and other fruit-flavored drink powders frequently use tartrazine for color.
Fruit Juices and Cordials: Certain fruit squashes, cordials, and fruit-based drinks contain the additive to enhance their color.
Alcoholic Beverages: Flavored alcoholic drinks, including aromatized wines, can sometimes contain tartrazine.

Confectionery, Candies, and Desserts

Hard and Soft Candies: The bright yellow, orange, and green colors in candies, like gummy bears and some chocolate-coated sweets, can come from tartrazine.
Chewing Gum: Many flavored chewing gums are colored with this dye.
Desserts and Puddings: Instant puddings, gelatins (such as Jell-O), custard powder, and cake mixes are common sources.
Ice Cream and Ice Pops: To achieve certain colors, manufacturers add tartrazine to ice cream and frozen desserts.
Baked Goods: The yellow shade in some baked items like pastries, cakes, and biscuits is often due to tartrazine.

Packaged Snacks and Processed Foods

Flavored Chips: Popular brands of flavored corn and potato chips, such as Doritos and Nachos, are known to contain tartrazine.
Breakfast Cereals: Some breakfast cereals, especially those with fruity or colorful components, may list tartrazine on their ingredient labels.
Processed Cheese and Dairy: The creamy yellow of some processed cheeses and flavored yogurts is often due to added colorings.
Pasta and Noodles: Certain types of pre-cooked or dried pasta and noodles are colored with tartrazine.

Condiments, Sauces, and Spreads

Mustard and Horseradish: Classic yellow mustard and some horseradish preparations get their color from tartrazine.
Pickles and Sauces: Pickled products and many store-bought sauces and dressings contain this additive to maintain a consistent appearance.
Jams, Jellies, and Marmalade: Brightly colored fruit spreads may be colored with tartrazine.

Other Products That May Contain Tartrazine

Beyond food, tartrazine is also used in non-ingestible items that can be sources of exposure, especially for sensitive individuals:

Cosmetics and Personal Care: Lotions, soaps, shampoos, and some perfumes often use tartrazine for coloring.
Pharmaceuticals: Many capsules, tablets, and prescription medications contain the dye in their coating or formulation.
Pet Food: Certain pet food products also utilize tartrazine.

How to Identify Tartrazine on Product Labels

Reading ingredient labels is the most effective way to avoid tartrazine. It can be identified by several names:

Tartrazine
FD&C Yellow No. 5
E102 (in the European Union)

In the U.S., products containing FD&C Yellow No. 5 must disclose it in the ingredient list. In the EU, products with tartrazine must also carry a warning label stating that it “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”.

Comparison: Tartrazine vs. Natural Yellow Alternatives

For consumers seeking to avoid synthetic dyes, several natural alternatives exist. Here's a comparison:


Feature	Tartrazine (E102)	Natural Alternatives (e.g., Turmeric, Beta-Carotene)
Source	Synthetic, originally derived from coal tar.	Plant-based sources like turmeric, carrots, saffron.
Cost	Generally cheaper to produce and use for manufacturers.	Often more expensive due to processing and raw material costs.
Color Quality	Bright, consistent lemon-yellow hue; stable against heat.	Shades can vary; some are light-sensitive (e.g., curcumin) or can shift color with pH changes.
Stability	Very stable, even in acidic conditions.	Varies greatly; some are less stable in light or heat than tartrazine.
Health Concerns	Linked to intolerance reactions in a small, sensitive population, including urticaria and asthma. Disputed links to hyperactivity in children.	Generally considered safer, but some individuals may have sensitivities to specific natural compounds.

The Health Considerations of Tartrazine

While approved by regulatory bodies like the FDA for general use, tartrazine has been a subject of controversy regarding its potential health effects. The most common concerns relate to sensitivities within a small subset of the population, including those with aspirin intolerance.

Allergies and Hypersensitivity: In susceptible individuals, tartrazine can trigger allergic-type reactions such as hives (urticaria), skin rashes, nasal congestion, and asthma. These pseudoallergic reactions are thought to affect a very small percentage of the population.
Hyperactivity in Children: Studies have investigated a potential link between tartrazine and increased hyperactivity or ADHD symptoms in children, often in combination with other additives and sodium benzoate. However, the evidence remains controversial, with many clinical trials failing to definitively prove a widespread, direct causal link for the general population.
Other Concerns: Less conclusive animal studies have raised questions about potential links to neurotoxicity and reproductive issues at very high doses, but these findings do not necessarily reflect typical human dietary exposure.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices

For most people, tartrazine is a safe, inert food additive. However, for the small percentage of individuals with a sensitivity, identifying and avoiding this synthetic dye is crucial for managing symptoms. The key to navigating this additive lies in careful label reading, looking for FD&C Yellow No. 5, E102, or the word 'tartrazine' itself. By understanding which common processed foods and beverages contain this dye, consumers can make informed choices, opt for whole-food alternatives, and prioritize dietary health with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tartrazine is also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5 in the United States and E102 in Europe. These designations will appear on ingredient lists of products that contain the dye.

Allergies or sensitivities to tartrazine are relatively rare, affecting a small fraction of the population. Reactions are more frequently observed in individuals with pre-existing conditions like aspirin intolerance or asthma.

The link between tartrazine and hyperactivity in children is a subject of ongoing debate. Some studies have suggested a connection, but the evidence is not definitive, and any effect is thought to be relevant only to specific sensitive individuals.

Always check the ingredient label. Look specifically for 'FD&C Yellow No. 5', 'E102', or 'tartrazine'. Manufacturers are required to declare its presence in the ingredient list.

Natural alternatives to tartrazine include curcumin (from turmeric), carotenoids (like beta-carotene and annatto), and saffron. These options are often used in 'natural' or 'organic' products.

Yes, tartrazine is also used to color non-food items. Many cosmetics, personal care products, and the coatings on various pills and vitamins contain the dye.

While permitted in many countries like the U.S., Canada, and the EU, some nations have stricter regulations. For example, some countries in Europe, like Norway, have previously restricted its use.

No. Many foods get their yellow color from natural ingredients like spices (e.g., turmeric, saffron), carrots (beta-carotene), or egg yolks. Only processed foods or items with artificial coloring need to be checked for added dyes.