E110 - Sunset yellow FCF

At a glance

• What it is: a synthetic orange–yellow azo dye (also called FD&C Yellow No. 6)
• What it does: adds and standardizes color; helps foods look the same from batch to batch
• Typical uses: soft drinks, candies, gelatins, cereals, sauces, and snack coatings
• Form: water‑soluble dye; also available as “lakes” for fat‑based coatings and icings
• Regulation: approved in the U.S. and EU; the EU requires a special label warning on some products that use it
• Other names on labels: “Sunset Yellow FCF,” “FD&C Yellow 6,” “Yellow 6,” or “E 110”

Why is Sunset yellow FCF added to food?

Food makers use Sunset yellow FCF to give or restore an orange‑yellow shade when ingredients vary or would otherwise be pale. It is valued because it provides a strong, stable color in many recipes and survives typical processing and storage conditions.

What foods contain Sunset yellow FCF?

You may find Sunset yellow FCF in orange and citrus‑flavored soft drinks, candies, gummies, gelatins, ice pops, dessert mixes, flavored yogurts, breakfast cereals, sauces, and snack seasonings. In the United States, FD&C Yellow No. 6 may be used “in foods generally” under good manufacturing practice and only after FDA batch certification of the color itself.¹ In the EU it appears on labels as “E 110” and is authorized with maximum levels that depend on the food category.²

What can replace Sunset yellow FCF?

Depending on the food and the shade needed, formulators may switch to:

• Natural orange/yellow colors such as paprika extract, beta‑carotene, annatto, or curcumin
• Brownish hues from caramel
• Red or pink alternatives like beetroot red, sometimes blended with yellow to reach an orange tone

These choices can affect flavor, stability, and cost, so swaps are made case by case.

How is Sunset yellow FCF made?

Sunset yellow FCF is produced by chemical synthesis as an azo dye, then purified to meet strict identity and purity criteria. In the U.S., every batch must meet specification limits (for example, dye content and heavy‑metal limits) and be certified by the FDA before it can be used in food.¹ EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) describes it as a synthetic mono‑azo color with well‑defined specifications for use in foods.³

Is Sunset yellow FCF safe to eat?

Regulators in many regions allow Sunset yellow FCF when manufacturers follow the rules. In the U.S., the FDA certifies each batch and limits impurities; the color may be used at levels needed to achieve the intended effect under good manufacturing practice.¹ EFSA has set an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 1 mg per kilogram of body weight per day for Sunset yellow FCF.³ The EU also requires foods with certain artificial colors, including E 110, to carry the warning “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”² The FDA has reviewed studies on color additives and behavior and has not required a warning label in the U.S., noting that evidence for a causal link is inconsistent; evaluation is ongoing.⁴

Does Sunset yellow FCF have any benefits?

Color helps signal flavor and freshness and makes products look consistent all year. Sunset yellow FCF offers a bright, reliable orange shade without adding taste, and it stays stable in many recipes and processing conditions. That can reduce food waste from color changes and improve consumer acceptance.

Who should avoid Sunset yellow FCF?

• Individuals advised by a healthcare professional to limit certain color additives
• Parents who prefer to avoid the EU‑listed “certain artificial colors” because of the child‑behavior warning may choose products without E 110²
• Anyone who notices sensitivity to foods containing this dye should consult a clinician

As always, check the ingredient list and choose products that fit your needs.

Myths & facts

• “It’s banned.” False. Sunset yellow FCF is permitted in both the U.S. and EU within regulatory limits.¹²
• “It’s the same as tartrazine.” False. Both are synthetic colors, but they are different dyes with different identifiers and safety evaluations.
• “Natural colors are always better.” Not necessarily. Natural options like annatto or beta‑carotene can work well, but they may differ in shade, stability, and cost compared with Sunset yellow FCF.
• “All azo dyes cause hyperactivity.” Evidence is mixed. The EU applies a label warning for certain colors including E 110, while the U.S. FDA has not found enough evidence to require a warning.²⁴

Sunset yellow FCF in branded foods

Label wording varies by region. In the U.S., certified colors must be listed by their specific names (for example, “FD&C Yellow No. 6” or “Yellow 6”) in the ingredient list.⁵ In the EU, look for “E 110” or “Sunset Yellow FCF,” along with the mandatory child‑behavior warning where applicable.² You’ll most often see it in orange‑flavored drinks and candies, gelatin desserts, powdered drink mixes, frostings, and cheese‑ or spice‑coated snacks.

References

Footnotes

1. FD&C Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) — 21 CFR 74.706. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-A/part-74/subpart-A/section-74.706 ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

2. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives (Annex V warning for certain colours) — EUR‑Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1333/oj ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

3. Re‑evaluation of Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110) as a food additive — EFSA Journal. https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1330 ↩ ↩²

4. Overview of Food Ingredients, Additives & Colors — U.S. FDA. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/overview-food-ingredients-additives-colors ↩ ↩²

5. Ingredient labeling for certified colors — 21 CFR 101.22. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/part-101/section-101.22 ↩