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Food Dye Guide: Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1 & More

A quick, plain-English guide to the seven synthetic dyes parents ask about most: what they are called on labels, and where you’re likely to see them. No scare tactics, just names.

First, a few label basics

  • “Certified” colors are the synthetic ones. The FDA tests every batch of these dyes before it can be used, which is why they’re called certified color additives (FDA).
  • On US food labels they must be named (with a narrow exception for some colorings added to butter, cheese, and ice cream). The label can shorten “FD&C Red No. 40” to “Red 40,” and must say “Lake” for lake forms, as in “Red 40 Lake.” Companies may also add an alternative name in parentheses (21 CFR 101.22(k)).
  • “Lake” isn’t a different dye. A lake is the same color made into a form that doesn’t dissolve in water. It’s often used in coatings, candy shells, and tablets.
  • “FD&C” vs. “D&C.” FD&C colors may be used in foods, drugs, and cosmetics. D&C colors are approved for drugs and/or cosmetics but not food, so you’ll mainly see them in medicines (FDA summary of color additives).
  • E-numbers are the codes used in the EU and many other countries. You may see them on imported products.

The seven dyes, and what they’re called

Red 40

  • On labels: Red 40, FD&C Red No. 40, Red 40 Lake, FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake
  • Other names: Allura Red AC, Allura Red, C.I. 16035, Food Red 17
  • E-number: E129
  • Typical uses (FDA): cereal, beverages, gelatins, puddings, dairy products, and confections.

Yellow 5

  • On labels: Yellow 5, FD&C Yellow No. 5, Yellow 5 Lake
  • Other names: tartrazine, C.I. 19140, Acid Yellow 23, Food Yellow 4
  • E-number: E102
  • Typical uses (FDA): confections, cereals, snack foods, beverages, condiments, baked goods, and yogurt.
  • Good to know: many oral medicines containing Yellow 5 must name it, including the word “tartrazine.” For prescription drugs, the labeling must include a warning that it may cause allergic-type reactions in certain susceptible people (21 CFR 201.20).

Yellow 6

  • On labels: Yellow 6, FD&C Yellow No. 6, Yellow 6 Lake
  • Other names: Sunset Yellow FCF, Sunset Yellow, Orange Yellow S, C.I. 15985
  • E-number: E110
  • Typical uses (FDA): cereals, snack foods, baked goods, gelatins, beverages, dessert powders, crackers, and sauces.

Blue 1

  • On labels: Blue 1, FD&C Blue No. 1, Blue 1 Lake
  • Other names: Brilliant Blue FCF, Brilliant Blue, C.I. 42090, Acid Blue 9
  • E-number: E133
  • Typical uses (FDA): confections, beverages, cereals, frozen dairy desserts, popsicles, frostings and icings.

Blue 2

  • On labels: Blue 2, FD&C Blue No. 2, Blue 2 Lake
  • Other names: indigo carmine, indigotine, C.I. 73015, Acid Blue 74
  • E-number: E132
  • Typical uses (FDA): baked goods, cereals, snack foods, ice cream, confections, and yogurt.

Green 3

  • On labels: Green 3, FD&C Green No. 3, Green 3 Lake
  • Other names: Fast Green FCF, C.I. 42053, Food Green 3
  • Typical uses (FDA): cereal, ice cream, sherbet, drink mixers, and baked goods.

Red 3

  • On labels: Red 3, FD&C Red No. 3
  • Other names: erythrosine, erythrosine B, C.I. 45430, Food Red 14
  • E-number: E127
  • Typical uses (FDA): confections, beverages, cereals, ice cream cones, frozen dairy desserts, popsicles, frostings and icings.
  • Status: the FDA has revoked its authorization in food (including dietary supplements) effective January 15, 2027, and in ingested drugs effective January 18, 2028. Lakes of Red 3 have not been permitted since 1990 (FDA status listing). See the dye law tracker.

Colors you’ll see in medicines

Medicines can also contain D&C colors, which are not allowed in food. Two examples approved for ingested drugs are D&C Red No. 33 and D&C Yellow No. 10 (FDA). If you’re avoiding synthetic dyes, treat any “D&C ___ No. __” on an inactive-ingredients list as a synthetic color.

What about “natural” colors?

Colors from natural sources, such as beet juice, annatto, turmeric, paprika, spirulina extract, or fruit and vegetable juices, are “exempt from certification.” They still need FDA approval. On US food labels they may be named individually or grouped as “color added,” “artificial color,” or “colored with ___.” The exception is carmine/cochineal extract (made from insects), which must be named because of potential allergic reactions (FDA).

Labels from other countries

Imported foods may list colors by E-number. In the EU and Great Britain, foods containing certain colors (including E102 tartrazine, E110 sunset yellow, and E129 allura red) must carry the label statement “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children” (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex V). That’s a labeling rule in those places, not a US requirement. The FDA’s current position is that most children have no adverse effects from color additives, though some evidence suggests certain children may be sensitive to them (FDA). If you have concerns about your child, talk with their doctor.

Sources

Last reviewed: October 18, 2026.

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