Potential risks of tartrazine (2023)

Tartrazine is a synthetic yellow food coloring. It is also called FD&C Yellow #5. Tartrazine is one of several azo food dyes made from petroleum products and among several food dyes and additives that have been studied for possible health effects.

Yellow #5 adds color to make food and soft drinks more attractive. It is also approved for use in pills and other medications, as well as personal care products such as skin care products, shampoos, and cosmetics. Some textile manufacturers also use azo dyes such as tartrazine.

This article covers allergies and other health issues involving tartrazine, as well as a list of foods that commonly list Yellow #5 as an ingredient and how to tell if it is present.

Tartrazine and health effects

Tartrazine has long been suspected to be the cause of various symptoms and health problems, although not all have been supported by research. Some suspicious reactions are:

• Urticaria(Urticaria)
• Angioedema(swelling of the lips, tongue, throat and throat caused by the release of histamine during an allergic reaction)
• Asma
• atopic dermatitis(Rashes related to allergies)
• food intolerances

Research on tartrazine

Tartrazine can be harmful to humans, although the FDA has approved its use in certain products. However, researchers continue to work to link the yellow number 5 to health effects, including childhood behavior disorders or cancer.

Studies focus on the way tartrazine:

• Toxic to genes (genotoxicity)
• Toxic to body cells (cytotoxicity)
• Causing genetic mutations (mutagenicity)

Much of the research on Yellow #5 is done on animals, and evidence-based science on its effects on humans remains lacking. However, the use of azo food dyes has been banned elsewhere outside the United States.

Neurotoxin

Tartrazine appears to be a neurotoxin (toxic to brain cells) in rat studies. Tartrazine is thought to affect the nervous system of rats in ways that include problems with spatial memory and more.

Rats given tartrazine showed a range of changes in their central nervous system, including a lack of neurotransmitters in the brain. Increased cell death in the brain was also observed. It is not known whether these changes also affect humans.

behavior problems in children

The effects of tartrazine are the focus of some studies conducted on human children to assess behavioral changes.

Research into the use of artificial food coloring (AFC) in children found that large doses (defined as 50 milligrams or more of AFC) produced a greater adverse effect in children than children who received less.

The use of synthetic food colors has increased by 500% in the last 50 years. At the same time, behavioral problems such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have increased.

However, there have been many changes during this period beyond the introduction of artificial food colors and this correlation is not yet definitive.

carcinogenic

A DNA repair study found that tartrazine had no cytotoxic effects (damage to cells) but significant genotoxic effects (damage to DNA) at all concentrations tested. This damage can cause genetic mutations that lead to cancer.

The study found that most damage was repairable, but some damage persisted even 24 hours after exposure in samples exposed to tartrazine, as opposed to those not exposed. The conclusion was that prolonged exposure to tartrazine could induce carcinogenesis.

Tartrazine during pregnancy

Tartrazine and its effects during pregnancy are not well understood. Animal studies of prenatal exposure to artificial food colors have revealed some issues, such as: B. Decreased motivation and anxiety in rat pups exposed during pregnancy.

Research on tartrazine in pregnant rats also suggests:

• liver damage
• kidney damage
• Cardiomegaly(increased heart size)
• Missing limbs and other skeletal deformities

How to avoid tartrazine

Tartrazine is found in many foods. While many products are labeled, others, such as ice cream and desserts, may not be labeled.

Foods that contain tartrazine include:

• certain breakfast cereals
• Chilled rolls and quick breads
• cake mixes
• commercial cakes
• commercial gingerbread
• Karamell-Chips
• commercial coverage
• Certain instant and regular puddings
• Certain ice creams and sorbets
• certain candy coatings
• hard balls
• Marshmallows Coloridos
• flavored carbonated drinks
• flavored drink mixes

Tartrazine is also used in several other products. They include:

• cosmetics and fragrances
• hair care preparations including coloring preparations
• hand soaps, creams and lotions
• shaving products
• pet products

The best way to avoid Yellow #5 is to check the labels on these foods and products.

A word from Verywell

Tartrazine is approved for use in the US and can be found in many foods and personal care products. While some studies suggest it could have health effects on animals and humans, more research is needed. Ask your doctor for more information if you have questions about yellow dye #5 and food coloring.