Tartrazine
What you need to know
Tartrazine is a bright yellow synthetic colour made from petroleum. It has no nutritional purpose — it only changes how food looks.
It is one of the additives in the “Southampton Six” colours linked to increased hyperactivity in some children. Because of this, products in the European Union must carry a warning label, while the United States allows it with no such warning.
Most people can eat it without any reaction. A small number of people — especially those sensitive to aspirin — can have intolerance reactions.
Where it stands, by region
The same additive can be approved in one country and banned in another. This is the divergence that matters most.
| 🇦🇺AU / NZ | Approved Permitted (FSANZ Code Schedule 8). Voluntary phase-out by some makers. |
| 🇪🇺EU | Approved · warning label Permitted but must carry: “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” |
| 🇺🇸US | Approved Permitted as FD&C Yellow No. 5; must be declared by name on the label. |
| 🇨🇦CA | Approved Permitted; must be declared by its common name on the label. |
Health evidence
How settled the science is for each area — not how dangerous. “Unknown” means not enough good studies yet.
Chemical name: trisodium 5-hydroxy-1-(4-sulfonatophenyl)-4-[(E)-(4-sulfonatophenyl)diazenyl]-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylate. A water-soluble azo dye (FD&C Yellow 5 in the US). Acceptable Daily Intake set by JECFA at 7.5 mg/kg body weight per day.