What Really is Yellow #5?

Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine, is an FD&C (approved for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics) coloring dye commonly used to give various foods (such as beverages, candy, and ice cream) a bright lemon yellow color. It has long been deemed safe by the Food and Drug Administration. It has also been in use since 1916. The FDA's established acceptable daily intake [ADI] for tartrazine is 5.0 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day, which is about .01 ounces for a 132-pound person.

There are some artificial food colorings that are banned, such as Orange #1, Red #3, Red #2, and Yellow #4. Blue #1, Blue #2, Green #3, and Yellow #6 could hurt you but scientist aren't positive yet if they actually do.

“One dye, yellow #5, also known as tartrazine, must be specifically listed if it is an ingredient. It is used in many different food products and medications. In susceptible individuals it can cause symptoms such as bronchospasms and hives. Also, some aspirin-intolerant people can have cross-reactions to tartrazine such as asthma attacks, hives, and, rarely, anaphylaxis. Some of this is discussed in an American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement entitled, " 'Inactive' Ingredients in Pharmaceutical Products" at http://www.aap.org/policy/re9706.html.

Food coloring is a part of our everyday lives, and we should become more knowledgeable of what is in our food and how our food is processed. Not all of the things in food are good, not all of the things in food are bad. It is a matter of making oneself aware so that they can make informed decisions.

References:

http://www.megaheart.com/foodlabels-definitions.html
http://www.healingwell.com/library/allergies/kaemmerer5.asp
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/
http://www.drrapp.com./