Natural Replacement for Yellow 5

Conversion Leads Development Conversations

From Walmart to West Virginia, announcements regarding the removal or ban of synthetic dyes are coming hot and fast.

FD&C Yellow 5 is one of the most popular synthetic dyes on the market today, second only to FD&C Red 40. In addition to existing legacy products that have been using Yellow 5—also known as Tartrazine—for decades, hundreds of products each year are launched using this bright colorant.

Those replacing Yellow 5 need to move quickly to accommodate existing timelines from brands, retailers, and state legislatures. A typical reformulation process can take six to 18 months—so if you haven’t started yet, it’s time to jump in.

Development Considerations for Replacing Yellow 5

When replacing synthetic dyes with natural colors, there are a few common factors that are important to bear in mind.

Target shade is perhaps the most obvious consideration. When working with synthetic dyes, there is a very short list of colors that can be used and combined to achieve different hues. Natural colors, on the other hand, offer a much wider range of options for different target hues. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach across applications or colors.

Heat processing can have an adverse effect on some natural colors. Others are extremely heat-stable and even thrive in applications where high heat is applied.

Similarly, the acidity of a product dictates the performance of many botanical color sources, so it’s good to know at the beginning of the process the pH range of your product.

Packaging can also have an impact on color performance. A small selection of botanically sourced colors may fade when exposed to light for extended periods of time, so if your packaging has clear windows or is entirely transparent, it’s important to work with a color supplier to identify light-stable solutions.

Natural Yellow Alternatives to Yellow 5

Turmeric offers excellent heat and acid stability across applications for bright, almost neon yellow shades.

Beta Carotene is a popular, stable color source providing a wide range of hues both cloudy and clear, from yellow to orange to even red in some cases.

Annatto is a botanically sourced natural color for yellow and orange hues depending on the usage rate and is available in both oil- and water-soluble formats.

Riboflavin creates bright yellow hues and is ideal for applications where light exposure is a factor.

Technologies Enhancing Natural Yellow Performance

For years, Sensient has been developing advanced technologies to improve natural color performance in end applications. Although not limited to yellow hues, our Microfine™ technology enhances natural color use in many applications by matching the performance of synthetic lakes. Yellow Microfine™ products can be used to fully coat particles in tablet and powder applications like drink mixes, significantly improving a product’s appearance. Microfine™ also leverages particle size control technology to address challenges in oil-based applications to reduce specking, improve color incorporation, and speed up commercial manufacturing processes.

Additionally, some of our most trusted and popular natural color solutions use our Advanced Emulsion Technology™ (AET™) to stabilize emulsions. AET™ enables the use of oil-soluble colors like beta carotene in water-based applications.

Whatever conversion project you’re working on, we’re here to help. Get started quickly with natural Yellow 5 replacements by requesting a sample or asking our team a question today.