Counted under: Synthetic dyes

Yellow 6

What counts on a label: “Yellow 6”, also printed as “Yellow No. 6”, “FD&C Yellow #6” or “Yellow 6 Lake”, or inside a list such as “Yellow 6 & …”. The chemical name “Sunset Yellow” counts too.

Any one of these anywhere in the ingredient list fails the synthetic dyes check.

In this list

Foods that list it: 42
Of all foods: 897
Aisles: 13

Rules that name it

FDA: Request to phase out six petroleum-based dyes
Announced April 22, 2025: HHS and FDA asked industry to stop using Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 and Blue 2 voluntarily and to drop Red 3 early, and promised faster review of natural colors. FDA gives end of 2027 as the target; no regulation requires it.
Source: FDA
California: AB 2316: six dyes out of public school food
Public schools may not serve or sell food and drink containing Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 or Yellow 6.
Effective date: December 31, 2027. Source: California Department of Education
West Virginia: HB 2354: seven dyes out of school meals
Bars Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 from meals in school nutrition programs.
Effective date: August 1, 2025. Source: West Virginia Legislature
West Virginia: HB 2354: statewide sales ban (blocked by court)
Treats food with those dyes plus BHA and propylparaben as adulterated statewide from Jan 1, 2028. A federal judge paused this part on Dec 23, 2025, so it cannot be enforced while the injunction stands; the school ban is not affected.
Effective date: January 1, 2028. Source: West Virginia Legislature
Texas: SB 25: warning label for 44 ingredients (enjoined)
Requires a warning on packaged food that contains any of 44 listed ingredients, including most dyes, BHA, BHT, azodicarbonamide, potassium bromate and propylparaben, for labels developed or copyrighted on or after Jan 1, 2027. A federal court paused enforcement against the plaintiffs on Feb 11, 2026 and the state has appealed.
Effective date: January 1, 2027. Source: Texas Legislature
Texas: SB 314: additives out of school meals
Schools may not serve free or reduced-price meals containing a listed set of dyes and additives, for food contracts made or renewed on or after Sept 1, 2026.
Effective date: September 1, 2026. Source: Texas Legislature
Alaska: SB 187: seven dyes out of school meals
Bars Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 from school breakfast and lunch.
Effective date: January 1, 2028. Source: National Agricultural Law Center