What E104 actually is
Quinoline Yellow gives a duller, greener yellow than tartrazine, which suits smoked fish, sauces, and some confectionery. In the United States the same substance is permitted in medicines and cosmetics as D&C Yellow No. 10 but not in food, which is an unusually clear split.
What it is made from
Synthesised from petrochemical feedstock, with no plant or animal input.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal status
Fully synthetic, so it suits vegan, vegetarian, halal, and kosher diets.
Is E104 safe?
One of the Southampton Six, requiring the EU and UK warning that it may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. EFSA set an acceptable daily intake of 0.5 mg per kg of body weight per day in its 2009 re-evaluation, lowering it substantially, and noted that intakes could exceed it for children at the high end. It is not permitted in US food, though it is allowed there in drugs and cosmetics.
- Mandatory EU and UK warning about activity and attention in children
- EFSA lowered the acceptable daily intake in 2009 and flagged possible exceedance in children
- Not permitted in US food, though allowed in US drugs and cosmetics
Where regulators stand
- EFSA (EU)
- Re-evaluated in 2009 with the acceptable daily intake lowered to 0.5 mg per kg of body weight per day. Mandatory activity and attention warning.
- FDA (US)
- Not permitted in food. Permitted in drugs and cosmetics as D&C Yellow No. 10.
Foods it turns up in
- Smoked fish, particularly smoked haddock
- Sweets and confectionery
- Sauces, pickles, and relishes
- Some soft drinks
Names it hides behind
- E104
- Quinoline Yellow
- Food Yellow 13
- D&C Yellow No. 10
- Colour (E104)
Common questions
- Is Quinoline Yellow banned in the US?
- It is not permitted in US food, though it is allowed in medicines and cosmetics there as D&C Yellow No. 10.
- Why is smoked haddock so yellow?
- Often because of added colour, historically Quinoline Yellow or annatto. Undyed smoked haddock is a pale beige.
- Is Quinoline Yellow vegan and halal?
- Yes. It is entirely synthetic with no animal-derived input.
- Why did EFSA lower the intake limit?
- Its 2009 re-evaluation reassessed the toxicological data and reduced the acceptable daily intake substantially, noting children at the high end of intake could exceed it.
- Does it carry the hyperactivity warning?
- Yes. It is one of the Southampton Six, so EU and UK packs must state it may affect activity and attention in children.
Checking a real pack
This page answers the code. The pack in your hand is what decides, because the same code can come from different sources depending on the manufacturer. LabelWise, formerly SafeChoice, scans the label and explains what is in front of you.
Related
LabelWise content is educational and describes how additives are made, regulated, and labelled. It is not medical, dietary, or religious advice. For certification questions, the mark on the pack and the certifying body are the authority.