Tartrazine E102 is a synthetic azo dye used as a colour in food and beverage production. Also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5, it gives products a bright lemon yellow shade and is often blended with other colours to build greens, oranges and browns. Under EU regulation Reg. 231/2012, it is authorised as E102. Its main job is straightforward: restore or standardise colour that processing, light or storage would otherwise fade, so finished goods look consistent from batch to batch.
Manufacturers typically use it in soft drinks, confectionery, desserts, sauces, snack seasonings and similar processed foods where a stable yellow is wanted. The 85% grade is a water-soluble powder, so it dissolves readily in aqueous systems and is normally added as a dilute solution during mixing. It is stable in most formulations but can fade under strong light or in the presence of reducing agents such as ascorbic acid, so protect it accordingly. Store sealed, dry and away from direct sunlight.
| Appearance | Yellow to orange-yellow powder |
| Shelf life | 24 months, unopened |
| Storage | Cool, dry place |
| Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Assay | >=85% sodium salt |
| Heavy metals | Per specification |
| Subsidiary dyes | Per specification |
| Unsulphonated primary amine | Per specification |
QC requirements shown apply to every destination or to the EU. Lot-specific results (assay, moisture, pH, microbiological and heavy-metal testing) vary by production batch and are supplied on the Certificate of Analysis for each shipment.
Yes. Every shipment of Tartrazine comes with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis. If you need further documents, such as an allergen or GMO declaration or a certificate of origin, tell us at the enquiry stage and we will confirm what is available.
Storage: Cool, dry place. Shelf life: 24 months, unopened.
The certifications associated with Tartrazine include FSSC 22000, CNAS CoA. Tell us which certification your audit requires and we will confirm what can be provided before you order.
In most cases, yes. Tell us your target volume and application on the contact form and we'll confirm sample availability along with indicative pricing and lead time.