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Additives

Tartrazine (E102): What It Is and Is It Safe?

Hazardous Colour · Azo dye

Synthetic yellow azo dye. Linked to hyperactivity in children in a landmark 2007 UK study (the "Southampton Six"). Must carry a warning label in the EU. Banned in Norway and Austria. Can trigger allergic reactions, especially in people sensitive to aspirin.

Category
Colour — Azo dye
Typically used in
Fizzy drinks, sweets, crisps, ice cream, cereals, pickles
Regulatory status
EU warning label required. Banned Norway/Austria.
Concerns flagged
Possible allergenHyperactivity link

Scrannr flags Tartrazine automatically when you scan a barcode.

Sources

Where this comes from

  1. EFSA (2009) — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation Tartrazine -E 102- http://dx.doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1331
  2. McCann et al. (2007) — Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children: randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (Southampton study) https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61306-3
Products

Products containing Tartrazine

We're building product pages that show real UK products containing Tartrazine, using Open Food Facts data. They'll appear here soon — in the meantime, scan any barcode with the Scrannr app to check for it instantly.

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