Tartrazine (E102)

What is tartrazine and what does it do?

Tartrazine is a water-soluble, lemon-yellow colouring of petrochemical origin. Chemically, it belongs to the group of azo dyes, which contain an azo bond (-N=N-) in their structure. Because it is cheap and stable to light and heat, it has been widely used for many years.

Its only job in food is appearance: making the product look brighter and more appealing. It contributes nothing to taste, nutritional value or shelf life. It is also mixed with blue colourings to create green shades.

Which products contain it?

• Sweets, jellies, lollipops and coloured sugar-coated sweets
• Flavoured fizzy drinks, powdered drinks and soft drinks
• Puddings, ready-made desserts and cake decorations
• Some crisp seasonings, sauces and instant soups
• Medicine capsules and cosmetic products (in cosmetics as CI 19140)

Is it harmful? The scientific assessment

The main reason tartrazine is debated is a study carried out in the UK in 2007, known as the “Southampton study”. In this study, drinks containing a mixture of certain synthetic colourings and a preservative increased hyperactive behaviour in some of the children. The size of the effect and which substance was responsible could not be clearly separated; EFSA therefore found the evidence limited, but the EU still took a precautionary approach.

As a result, EU legislation and the Turkish Food Codex, which is aligned with it, require foods containing one of the following six colourings to carry, together with the name or E number of the colouring, a warning stating that it may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.

• E102 Tartrazine (yellow)
• E104 Quinoline yellow (not an azo dye but a quinoline dye)
• E110 Sunset Yellow FCF (orange)
• E122 Azorubine / Carmoisine (red)
• E124 Ponceau 4R (red)
• E129 Allura Red (red)

Tartrazine has also been associated in a small number of people with sensitivity reactions such as hives (urticaria), itching or worsening of asthma symptoms. It has been suggested that this risk may be higher in people who are sensitive to aspirin, but this link is disputed. In its re-evaluation, EFSA kept the existing acceptable daily intake and stated that this value is unlikely to be exceeded with normal consumption.

Who should be careful?

• Children, especially those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Some families find that cutting down on colourings helps; you can discuss this with your paediatrician.
• People with hives or aspirin sensitivity: If you have recurring symptoms after brightly coloured foods, you can consult your doctor.
• People with asthma: It has been reported, although rarely, that it can trigger symptoms.

What to do when you see it on a label

If you see E102 or “tartrazine” on a label together with the attention warning, it is sensible to treat the product as something to have only occasionally, especially for children. Many manufacturers have now switched to colourings of natural origin such as turmeric (curcumin, E100), beta-carotene (E160a) or safflower. As it has no function other than adding colour, giving up a product containing tartrazine takes nothing away from your diet.