Sunset yellow FCF (Yellow 6)

Also known as: Yellow 6, FD&C Yellow No. 6, E110

Moderate concernunder our published method

By NordicScan Evidence Engine · generated from structured evidence records · source spans verified by automated gates · Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · how we score.

What it is

Sunset yellow FCF is a synthetic orange-yellow food colour used in drinks, sweets, snacks, desserts and sauces.

Why people ask

People ask because the same dye family is handled differently across US colour-additive rules and EU warning labels.

What our method flags — by use

Food · EU

In EU food, our method rates Sunset Yellow FCF as moderate-concern and reports the mandatory activity-and-attention warning for E110-containing foods.

The EU restricted by labelling rule foods containing Sunset yellow (E110) to carry the activity-and-attention warning in Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
European Union / EUR-Lex	The EU restricted by labelling rule foods containing Sunset yellow (E110) to carry the activity-and-attention warning in Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.	authority_regulatory	2008-12-16	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Limited (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

Food · US

In US food, our method also rates Yellow 6 as moderate-concern, with a certified colour-additive listing.

The US lists FD&C Yellow No. 6 under 21 CFR 74.706 as a certified colour additive for food use subject to conditions.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
eCFR / US FDA	The US lists FD&C Yellow No. 6 under 21 CFR 74.706 as a certified colour additive for food use subject to conditions.	authority_regulatory	2026-07-02	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Limited (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

How this moves a product’s score

On a product score, Sunset Yellow FCF contributes a moderate concern signal; the EU warning is reported as a market-specific regulatory signal.

Nordic Scan provides ingredient information and a concern score under our published method, for general consumer research. It is not medical advice and not a medical device, and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or determine the safety of any product. Decide for yourself.

Common questions

Is Yellow 6 handled like Yellow 5?: Yes for the EU warning family, but the US colour-additive listing is separate and ingredient-specific.

This is what Sunset yellow FCF (Yellow 6) is. What’s in the products you buy? Scan a label and see the concern signals our method flags. Get the app.

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · Sources checked 2026-07-08 · See how we score.