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FD&C yellow no. 6

CAS 1342-61-6 · 40/100 · High conf.

Also registered as 2 other CAS numbers

12707-27-6 · 2783-94-0

Concern score

40/100Moderate concern based on regulatory listings.
High confidence

FD&C yellow no. 6 in plain language

What it is

On cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as “CI 15985”.

Also known as CI 15985 · Sunset yellow · Sunset Yellow Aluminum Lake · Sunset yellow fcf · C.I. food yellow 3 · D&C yellow no. 6

Show all 33 names

CI food yellow 3 · Crelborange s · FD&C Yellow 6 · KI5 · Yellow 6 · Ci-food yellow 3 · Colour index no. 15985 · Dye dc yellow no. 6 · Dye fdc yellow no. 6 · Dye yellow no. 6 · F d & c yellow #6 · F d & c yellow no. 6 · Fdc yellow no. 6 · Orange yellow s · 1351 Yellow · 1899 Yellow · C.I. 15985 · CI (1975) no. 15985 · E-110 · E110 · Ins NO.110 · INS-110 · dye (yellow) · fd & c yellow 6 · fd & c yellow no. 6 · fd&c yellow #6 · yellow no. 6

What it does

Used in cosmetics as a colourant. Sunset Yellow is classed chemically as a monoazo color.

  • Colorant
  • Colour
  • Colourant
  • Fragrance
  • Flavouring
Is it a concern?
Moderate concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

What the listings say

Permitted, with conditions — FD&C yellow no. 6 appears on published "allowed" regulatory lists rather than on a restriction list.

Disodium 6-hydroxy-5-[(4-sulphonatophenyl)azo]naphthalene-2-sulphonate and its insoluble barium, strontium and zirconium lakes, salts and pigments is listed in Annex IV of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 (colorants allowed in cosmetic products).

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

Regulation

No restrictions found. FD&C yellow no. 6 appears in these published regulatory listings.

  • EU Annex IV — permitted colorant
  • EU permitted colorant
  • Inactive ingredient in US drugs

Recorded in these product areas

  • Found in consumer products
  • Beauty
  • Cleaning
  • Pharma
  • Food
  • Industrial
  • USFDAinactive ingredient database34 entries — 5 administration routes
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: ELIXIR; Potency: 5.4 mg/5mlSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: LIQUID; Potency: 0.2 mg/1mlSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: POWDER; Potency: 20 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: POWDER, FOR SOLUTION; Maximum daily exposure: 40 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: POWDER, FOR SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 6 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 75.3 mg/15mlSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Maximum daily exposure: 11 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SUSPENSION, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: 0.12 mg/5mlSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: SYRUP; Potency: 4 mg/5mlSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Potency: 60.02 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, CHEWABLE; Potency: 0.41 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, COATED; Potency: 3.17 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 8 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FILM COATED; Potency: 1 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; Maximum daily exposure: 12 mgSource →
    • Route: RECTAL; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.5 %w/vSource →
    • Route: SUBLINGUAL; Dosage form: FILM; Potency: 0.03 mgSource →
    • Route: SUBLINGUAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Potency: 1 mgSource →
    • Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: GEL; Potency: NASource →
    • Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: LOTION; Potency: NASource →
    • Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SOAP; Potency: 0.2 %w/wSource →
    • Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: SPONGE; Potency: 0.01 %w/wSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 2 mgSource →
    • Route: BUCCAL; Dosage form: MOUTHWASH; Potency: 0.01 mg/1mlSource →
    • Route: BUCCAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Potency: 1 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE; Maximum daily exposure: 7 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, COATED; Potency: 0.03 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, COATED PELLETS; Potency: NASource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, COATED, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: NASource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE; Potency: 0.02 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, EXTENDED RELEASE; Potency: 4.59 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: CONCENTRATE; Potency: 0.03 mg/5mlSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: DROPS; Potency: 0.2 mg/1mlSource →
  • EUEFSAEFSA opinion4 entries
    • Reconsideration of the temporary ADI and refined exposure assessment for Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) (EFSA ANS)Source →
    • Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Sunset Yellow FCF for cats and dogs, ornamental fish, grain-eating ornamental birds and small rodents (Sensient Colours Europe GmbH) (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
    • Statement on Allura Red AC and other sulphonated mono azo dyes authorised as food and feed additives (EFSA ANS)Source →
    • Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110) as a food additive (EFSA ANS)Source →
  • EUCosIngActive3 entries
    • Cosmetics Regulation annex IV / ref 31.Source →
    • Sunset Yellow is classed chemically as a monoazo color. It conforms to the formula. (To identify the colorant allowed for use in the European Union (EU), the INCI Name CI 15985 must be used, except for hair dye products). Restriction: IV/31Source →
    • CI 15985 is classed chemically as a monoazo colour. It conforms to the formula: Restriction: IV/31Source →
  • EUECallowed_listedAnnex IV of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: colorants allowed in cosmetic products. Conditions of use and warnings: Purity criteria as set out in Commission Directive 95/45/EC (E 110)
    • Annex IV of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: colorants allowed in cosmetic products. Conditions of use and warnings: Purity criteria as set out in Commission Directive 95/45/EC (E 110)Source →
  • EUEFSAEFSA statementRevised exposure assessment for Sunset Yellow FCF based on the proposed revised maximum permitted levels of use as a food additive (EFSA ANS)
    • Revised exposure assessment for Sunset Yellow FCF based on the proposed revised maximum permitted levels of use as a food additive (EFSA ANS)Source →
  • GLOBALJECFAEvaluatedJECFA evaluation record.
  • GLOBALJECFA0-2.5 mg/kg bwJECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-2.5 mg/kg bw. Functional class: colour.
    • JECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-2.5 mg/kg bw. Functional class: colour.Source →
  • USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 468 composition records across product categories including Food and drug, Laboratory supplies, Personal care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Dye, Fragrance, Flavouring and nutrient.
    • EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 468 composition records across product categories including Food and drug, Laboratory supplies, Personal care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Dye, Fragrance, Flavouring and nutrient.Source →
  • USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
    • openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →

Expert safety opinions

Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.

  • SCCS

    EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety

    No SCCS opinion on file.

  • CIR

    Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)

    No CIR safety assessment on file.

  • EFSA

    European Food Safety Authority

    • Reconsideration of the temporary ADI and refined exposure assessment for Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) (EFSA ANS)

      2014 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

    • Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Sunset Yellow FCF for cats and dogs, ornamental fish, grain-eating ornamental birds and small rodents (Sensient Colours Europe GmbH) (EFSA FEEDAP)

      2022 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

    • Statement on Allura Red AC and other sulphonated mono azo dyes authorised as food and feed additives (EFSA ANS)

      2013 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

    • Revised exposure assessment for Sunset Yellow FCF based on the proposed revised maximum permitted levels of use as a food additive (EFSA ANS)

      2011 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

    • Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Sunset Yellow FCF (E 110) as a food additive (EFSA ANS)

      2009 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

  • JECFA

    Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

    • JECFA evaluation record.

      Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

    • JECFA evaluation lists ADI 0-2.5 mg/kg bw. Functional class: colour.

      Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

Evidence & sources

No graded research studies for FD&C yellow no. 6 yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.

9 data sources

Where this comes from

  • CosIng

    regulatory · updated 2026-09-23

    Open →

  • EU CosIng Cosmetics Regulation Annexes

    regulatory · updated 2020-08-14

    Open →

  • EFSA OpenFoodTox

    regulatory · updated 2026-10-04

    Open →

  • EPA Chemical and Products Database

    exposure · updated september 4, 2015

    Open →

  • EPA DSSTox Identifiers

    chemistry · updated 2025-12-29

    Open →

  • FDA Inactive Ingredient Database

    regulatory · updated 2026-01-09

    Open →

  • FDA GSRS UNII

    registry · updated 2026-02-26

    Open →

  • WHO JECFA Database

    regulatory · updated 2026-10-04

    Open →

  • openFDA Substance

    registry · updated 2026-05-24

    Open →
Reference links (1)
Openfda substance

codexalimentarius.net

Read →

Suitability

Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.

Food use

Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.

Good fit

The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.

Fragrance avoidance

Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.

Avoid

The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.

Where it has been recorded

How often EPA CPDat has listed FD&C yellow no. 6 in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.

Source records

468

Named organisations

6

Food and drugLaboratory suppliesPersonal careCleaning and safetyPesticidesPet and animal care

Typical roles

ColorantColourColourantFragranceFlavouring
See products using FD&C yellow no. 6 →

Catalog

Found in these products

Their ingredient lists include FD&C yellow no. 6; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.

See all 549 →Find products without it →

Co-occurrence

Often appears with

Ingredients that frequently appear alongside FD&C yellow no. 6 in the catalog.