Is Yellow 5 food dye in kids' snacks and drinks safe for children?

What's actually in it

Tartrazine, also called Yellow 5 or E102, is a synthetic food dye made from petroleum. It gives a bright yellow color to snacks, candy, cereals, sports drinks, mac and cheese, and many other processed foods marketed to kids. It's one of the most widely used artificial colors in the world.

Children eat more food dye per pound of body weight than adults do. A single serving of brightly colored cereal or candy can contain several milligrams of tartrazine. Over a day of snacking, that adds up fast.

What the research says

A 2026 study in J Hazard Mater tested the effects of chronic dietary tartrazine exposure on brain function. Using a translational animal model designed for human health risk assessment, the researchers found that long-term tartrazine intake caused measurable changes in behavior and impaired brain function.

The study showed that regular exposure to tartrazine at levels comparable to what humans consume led to significant behavioral changes. The researchers described the effects as a "disability in brain function," pointing to altered activity patterns and reduced responsiveness.

This isn't the first warning sign. The EU already requires foods containing tartrazine to carry a label saying it "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." Several European countries have pushed manufacturers to switch to natural colorants. In the US, no such warning is required.

To avoid Yellow 5, check ingredient labels on packaged snacks, drinks, and candy. Look for products colored with turmeric, annatto, or beta-carotene instead. Or simply choose foods that skip artificial colors entirely.