From the Guidelines
Yellow 6 has not been proven to be carcinogenic in humans based on current scientific evidence. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, released by the American Cancer Society in 2002, states that "Additives are usually present in very small quantities in food, and no convincing evidence exists that any additive consumed at these levels causes human cancers." This finding is consistent with an earlier study, 1, published in 1996, which also concluded that "no convincing evidence exists that any additive at these levels causes human cancers."
Key Points
- Yellow 6 is one of the most widely used artificial food colorings and is approved for use in foods, medications, and cosmetics in many countries.
- Some individuals may experience allergic reactions or sensitivity to this dye, particularly those with aspirin sensitivities.
- If concerned about consuming artificial food colorings, individuals can check ingredient labels for "Yellow 6," "FD&C Yellow 6," or "E110" and choose products without these additives.
- Natural food colorings like turmeric, saffron, or annatto provide yellow coloring alternatives if preferred. Given the available evidence, it is recommended to prioritize a balanced diet with minimal processed foods, rather than focusing solely on the potential carcinogenic effects of Yellow 6.
From the Research
Carcinogenicity of Yellow 6
- The carcinogenic potential of Yellow 6, an artificial food coloring, has been investigated in several studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A 2012 review of the toxicology of food dyes found that Yellow 6, along with other dyes, raises health concerns due to its potential carcinogenicity and contamination with benzidine or other carcinogens 2.
- A 1978 study tested the ability of eight food dyes, including Yellow 6, to transform cells in vitro and induce tumors in hamsters, but found no evidence of carcinogenicity for Yellow 6 3.
- A 1991 study investigated the clastogenicity of Solvent Yellow 14 and FD&C Yellow No. 6 in rodents, and found that while Solvent Yellow 14 was carcinogenic in rats, FD&C Yellow No. 6 was non-carcinogenic in both rats and mice 4.
- A 1995 study analyzed samples of FD&C Yellow No. 6 for combined benzidine, a known carcinogen, and found that many samples contained levels of combined benzidine above the quantification limit 5.
- A 2019 study assessed the effects of FD&C Yellow No. 6 on sperm count, motility, and viability in rats, and found no adverse effects at dietary concentrations up to 18,000 ppm 6.
Contamination with Carcinogens
- Yellow 6 has been found to be contaminated with benzidine or other carcinogens, which raises concerns about its potential carcinogenicity 2, 5.
- The levels of combined benzidine in Yellow 6 have been found to vary, with some samples containing levels above the quantification limit 5.
Regulatory Status
- The regulatory status of Yellow 6 varies by country, with some countries approving its use as a food coloring and others restricting or banning its use due to concerns about its safety 2.