Sunset Yellow (Artificial Color Yellow 6)

Ingredient Name: Sunset Yellow FCF

Alternative Names: FD & C Yellow 6 (dye and lake), Orange Yellow S, artificial color (yellow 6), yellow 6, monoazo
E Number:E110

Uses in Food: Derived from coal tar, azo dye Sunset Yellow is used, as its name suggests, to color foods orange, yellow and red. It may also be added together with E123 (Amaranth) to impart a brown color in chocolate and caramel. In the US, Sunset Yellow is added to many foods, including…

…soda beverages (e.g. Fanta, Sunkist), non-carbonated beverages (e.g. cordials), confections/candy, cereals, gelatin-based products (jell-o, jellies and jams), baked goods, ice cream, sauces (e.g. cheese sauce), dessert powders, pharmaceutical casings (e.g. Dayquil, extra-strength Tylenol) and many snack foods (e.g. hot chocolate powder, packet soup mix). (UK Food Guide)

Below is a list from the FoodEssentials comparison tool highlighting the occurance of Sunset Yellow in seasonings:

Positive Effects: Sunset Yellow is currently approved for use in food in the US by the FDA. They justify the use of Sunset Yellow and other colorants, claiming that the additives provide a more intense, uniform color in food that has lost its natural color following exposure to air, light, temperature, moisture and storage conditions. In other words, colorants make processed food more appealing to the eye and tempting to eat. (US FDA/IFIC Brochure, 1993)

Alternative colors derived from natural products (such as turmeric or saffron) exist, but these are more expensive to produce and often impart a flavor into the food in which they are added, unlike their synthetic counterparts.

Negative Effects: Sunset Yellow is a sulfonated version of the banned, carcinogenic food dye Sudan I. Traces of Sudan I have been found in up to one quarter of Sunset Yellow batches. (Partos, 2005)

In addition, some claim Sunset Yellow may cause adverse, allergy-like reactions and asthma attacks, particularly in people with aspirin intolerance. Symptoms include gastric problems, nasal congestion, diarrhea, rashes and hives. These reactions occur rarely, and more investigation into these claims is required. (Schultz-Ehrenburg, 1987)

A recent study in Southampton (McCann et al., 2007) linked several colorants (including Sunset Yellow) and the preservative sodium benzoate with hyperactivity and behavioral problems in children. The study recommended that removal of artificial colorants such as Sunset Yellow from the diet may be beneficial for people who have a hyperactive condition.

While the FDA continues to approve the use of Sunset Yellow in the US, it has been banned in countries like Norway and Finland, in light of safety concerns. In 2009, following the Southampton study, the use of Sunset Yellow and several other colorants was phased out in the UK (BBC News, 2008; FSA Colours advice, 2009). In addition, the presence of food colors must be indicated on labels in most of the EU. (Meikle, 2008) Recently, state legislators in Maryland have initiated the process to ban Sunset Yellow and other colorants, or at least label foods which contain them. (Fooducate, 2009)

References:

BBC News (2008) Food Color Ban in UK. Viewed online May 19, 2009. Online:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7340426.stm

Fooducate (2009) Toxic rainbow? Maryland to Ban Artificial Food Colorings. Viewed online May 19, 2009. Online: http://www.fooducate.com/blog/tag/sunset-yellow-fcf/

FSA Colors advice (2008) Board discusses colours advice. Viewed online May 19, 2009. Online: http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2008/apr/coloursadvice

McCann D et al. (2007) Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 9/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Viewed on May 16, 2009. Excepted Online: http://www.feingold.org/Research/Stevenson2007.html

Meikle, J – Guardian.co.uk (2008)EU plans warning labels on artificial colours. Viewed online May 19, 2009. Online:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/aug/11/foodanddrink.foodsafety

Partos, L – Food Navigator (2005). Sunset yellow food colour holds sudan 1 risk. Viewed online May 19, 2009. Online: http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition/Sunset-yellow-food-colour-holds-sudan-1-risk

Shultz-Ehrenburg U, et. Al.(1987) Results of studies in chronic urticaria with special reference to nutritional factors. Viewed online May 19, 2009. Abstract online: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3442085

UK Food Guide. Sunset Yellow. Viewed online May 19, 2009. Online: http://www.ukfoodguide.net/e110.htm

U.S. FDA/IFIC Brochure (1993) Food Color Facts. Viewed online May 19, 2009. Online: http://www.foodsafety.gov/~lrd/colorfac.html

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