Additive guide
E110 Sunset Yellowwhat it means on a food label
Southampton six azo dye with an EU hyperactivity warning label. Berry Pure flags additives like this during a scan so you can decide faster at the shelf.
Berry Pure verdict
Best avoided
E110 is on Berry Pure's best-avoided list because the evidence record includes a ban, warning-label requirement, regulatory action, or a consistent health concern. The practical move is simple: if you see E110 or Sunset Yellow on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
Usually found in
Orange squash, sweets, sauces
If these are regular buys in your kitchen, scan a few brands side by side. Additive use can vary a lot between similar products.
Additive family
Colour
Dyes and pigments that change how food looks.
How to spot it on a label
Manufacturers may use the E-number code, the full additive name, or a common alternative name. These are the label terms to check:
- E110
- Sunset Yellow
- Yellow 6
The evidence record
EFSA first lowered sunset yellow's ADI to a temporary 1 mg per kg of body weight per day in 2009, then in 2014 reconsidered the data and set a full ADI of 4 mg per kg of body weight per day, based on a long-term rat study with a no-observed-adverse-effect level of 375 mg per kg and a 100-fold safety margin, matching JECFA. It was among the six colours in the 2007 Southampton study associated with modest hyperactivity increases, a signal EFSA described as limited rather than conclusive.
Sunset yellow gives an orange colour to soft drinks, sweets, snack coatings, and desserts, so children's foods are a common source of intake. EFSA's exposure assessments concluded typical consumption sits below the 4 mg per kg ADI. In the EU the dye still requires the Southampton warning, encouraging reformulation, while in the US it remains approved as Yellow 6 but is included in the 2025 federal effort to phase out petroleum-based food dyes by the end of 2026.
Acceptable daily intake
4 mg per kg of body weight per day (EFSA, 2014), raised from a temporary 1 mg per kg of body weight per day set in 2009
Regulatory status
Permitted in the EU under Regulation EC 1333/2008 and one of the Southampton six, carrying the child activity-and-attention warning. Approved in the US as FD&C Yellow No. 6, but the April 2025 HHS and FDA plan targets it for removal from the food supply by the end of 2026.
Related additives
Same family, similar label context, or the same Berry Pure verdict.
Frequently askedquestions
Everything you need to know about scanning your food with Berry Pure.
What is E110 Sunset Yellow?
E110 is Sunset Yellow, a colour used in foods such as orange squash, sweets, sauces. Southampton six azo dye with an EU hyperactivity warning label.
Is E110 bad for you?
E110 is on Berry Pure's best-avoided list because the evidence record includes a ban, warning-label requirement, regulatory action, or a consistent health concern. The practical move is simple: if you see E110 or Sunset Yellow on a food you buy often, scan the label and look for a cleaner swap.
How do I spot E110 on a label?
Look for these label names: E110, Sunset Yellow, Yellow 6. Some products spell out the additive name instead of using the E-number code.
Can Berry Pure flag E110?
Yes. Berry Pure scans ingredient labels with your camera and flags additives like E110 so you do not have to memorize code numbers while shopping.
Sources
The claims on this page are based on these publications.
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