Is CI 19140 (Yellow 5 / Tartrazine) banned?
CI 19140 (Yellow 5 / Tartrazine) is permitted by the US FDA. Several countries restrict, warning-label, or have reviewed it for safety concerns. The US has more lenient additive rules than the EU, UK, Canada, and Japan, which is why this ingredient remains widely used here.
Why CI 19140 (Yellow 5 / Tartrazine) is flagged
CI 19140 is considered safe for cosmetic use by the CIR when used at regulated concentrations in rinse-off and leave-on external products (excluding eye area). The EU restricts its use and requires allergen labeling for tartrazine-sensitive individuals. It is not approved for use in products applied near the eyes in the EU. Some aspirin-sensitive individuals may also react to tartrazine. There is no evidence of carcinogenicity or systemic toxicity from topical cosmetic use.
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