Tartrazine (E102)
Tartrazine is a synthetic yellow azo dye. In the EU, foods that contain it must carry a warning about activity and attention in children. Some adults react to it with intolerance.
What it is
Tartrazine colours drinks, sweets, desserts, sauces and snacks yellow. On labels it appears as tartrazine or E102.
How IngrediScan rates it
These levels come from the fixed rules in the IngrediScan app. A low level means the rules found little or no concern for that profile. It does not mean the ingredient is safe for everyone.
| Profile | Food | Skin (cosmetics) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | Medium | No concern found |
| Child | High | No concern found |
| Infant | High | No concern found |
| Dog | Medium | No concern found |
| Cat | Medium | No concern found |
For adults, the concern is possible dye intolerance. For children and infants the app adds the Southampton finding: mixtures that held this dye were linked to small changes in activity and attention in some children. The evidence is limited. For dogs and cats the app carries over the adult human signal, because no pet data exists.
Basis of the ratings: limited or mixed data, errs on safety.
Possible concerns: Allergenic, Hyperactivity in children.
The app's rationale (exact text)
- Adult (food): Azo-dye hypersensitivity in sensitive adults.
- Child (food), Infant (food): Southampton-tested azo dyes + benzoate: small activity/attention effects in some children (limited, inconsistent evidence).
- Dog (food), Cat (food): No pet data; precautionary Medium for dye hypersensitivity carried over from the human adult signal.
Rules and use
Authorised in the EU. A food that contains it must show the name or E-number and the text "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex V). EFSA's 2009 re-evaluation kept the acceptable daily intake at 7.5 mg per kg body weight per day.
Read the guide: Food colours and children
Sources
- Reg. (EU) 1169/2011, Annex II: substances causing allergies
- Reg. (EU) 2023/1545: labelling of fragrance allergens in cosmetics
- EFSA 2008: evaluation of the Southampton study on additives and child behaviour
- EFSA 2009: re-evaluation of Ponceau 4R (E 124)
- EFSA 2009: re-evaluation of Tartrazine (E 102)
- McCann et al. 2007 (Lancet): food additives and hyperactivity in children
Related ingredients
- Sunset Yellow FCF (E110)
- Quinoline Yellow (E104)
- Carmoisine (E122)
- Ponceau 4R (E124)
- Allura Red AC (E129)
- Sodium Benzoate (E211)
The assessment is for information only. It does not replace the manufacturer's label or advice from a doctor or vet. Text recognition (OCR) can miss part of a label. No result does not mean the product is safe.