Quick answer
Yellow 5 usually appears on labels as FD&C Yellow No. 5, Yellow 5, or tartrazine. It is used for color, not nutrition.
Why it is used
Food makers use Yellow 5 to create or standardize yellow, green, orange, or golden shades in packaged foods and drinks.
Where you might see it
- Candy
- Fruit-flavored drinks
- Cereals
- Snack foods
- Desserts
What to check on the label
- Look for FD&C Yellow No. 5, Yellow 5, or tartrazine in the ingredient list.
- Compare similar products if you prefer options without certified synthetic colors.
- Read the full label because color additives do not tell the whole nutrition picture.
Sources and review
This entry is written for educational label context and reviewed against source-backed internal references.
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