tartrazine

Tartrazine is a synthetic food dye belonging to the azo dye group. It is one of seven certified food dyes currently used in the United States.1

Food dyes, including tartrazine, are additives used to enhance the visual appeal of foods. They can be derived from natural sources, inorganic pigments, or synthetic coal-tar substances. Synthetic dyes like tartrazine offer advantages such as brightness, stability, a wide color range, and lower costs compared to natural colorants.21

However, the safety of artificial food colorings, including tartrazine, has been a subject of controversy. While some countries have banned certain dyes or have stricter regulations, others approve a wider range. Modern testing has revealed potential health hazards associated with some color ingredients previously considered harmless, leading to their removal from approved additive lists in various countries.21