What E110 actually is
Sunset Yellow is the orange in squash, sweets, and snack coatings. It is an azo dye, cheap, intensely coloured, and stable in acid, which is why soft drinks favour it. In the United States it is Yellow 6 and is one of the most consumed colours there.
What it is made from
Synthesised from petrochemical feedstock. Nothing plant or animal derived is involved at any stage.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal status
Fully synthetic with no animal input, so it suits vegan, vegetarian, halal, and kosher diets.
Is E110 safe?
Sunset Yellow is one of the Southampton Six. The 2007 Southampton study associated mixtures containing it with increased hyperactivity in children, and the EU response was a mandatory warning rather than a ban: any product containing it must state that it may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children. EFSA set an acceptable daily intake of 4 mg per kg of body weight per day. Separately, a small number of people with aspirin sensitivity report intolerance reactions.
- Mandatory EU and UK warning about activity and attention in children
- Intolerance reported in a small number of people, particularly with aspirin sensitivity
- Many EU manufacturers reformulated to natural colours rather than carry the warning
Where regulators stand
- EFSA (EU)
- Acceptable daily intake of 4 mg per kg of body weight per day. Mandatory activity and attention warning.
- FDA (US)
- Certified colour additive, listed as FD&C Yellow No. 6.
Foods it turns up in
- Squash, soft drinks, and orange-flavoured products
- Sweets and jelly
- Snack coatings and savoury snacks
- Packet sauces and desserts
Names it hides behind
- E110
- Sunset Yellow FCF
- Yellow 6
- FD&C Yellow No. 6
- Orange Yellow S
- Colour (E110)
Common questions
- Why does Sunset Yellow need a warning label?
- It is one of six colours in the 2007 Southampton study linked with increased hyperactivity in children. The EU required a warning rather than banning it.
- Is Sunset Yellow the same as Yellow 6?
- Yes. Yellow 6 is the US name, E110 the European code, and Sunset Yellow FCF the common chemical name.
- Is Sunset Yellow vegan and halal?
- Yes. It is entirely synthetic with no animal-derived input.
- Which colours carry the same warning?
- E102 tartrazine, E104 quinoline yellow, E110 sunset yellow, E122 carmoisine, E124 ponceau 4R, and E129 allura red. Together they are called the Southampton Six.
- What replaces Sunset Yellow?
- Beta-carotene (E160a), paprika extract (E160c), and annatto (E160b) give orange tones without the warning requirement.
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.
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.