Tartrazine - Yellow Dye 5

Tartrazine, E number 102, is a yellow food dye 5, that is often used in everyday food to lend a yellow coloring, Tartrazine is a lemon yellow azo dye, which is used in a number of foods like juices, drinks, ice creams, confectionery products like pudding, jellies, etc. Most of the packed foods also have tartrazine is a substantial amount.

But even after having so many wide uses, tartrazine is a food coloring additive that should be avoided as it has a number of known allergies and side effects associated with it. Most of the western countries identify tartrazine food coloring to be a major cause of increasing hyperactivity and obesity among kids. Specially the American nations. Apart from hyperactivity some grave diseases like thyroid cancer have also been linked with tartrazine intake. Amongst the smaller side effects are headaches. Weakness, patchy skin and sleeping disorders.

To learn more about tartrazine's use as a food colorant, its composition and constituents and the side effects along with a small list of foods that contain tartrazine content, read more.