FD&C Yellow 5 Aluminum Lake, Cosmetic Grade Food Safe Yellow Pigment 15–22%

Regulatory Status: Where FD&C Yellow 5 Lake Is Permitted

FD&C Yellow 5 (Tartrazine, CI 19140) carries one of the most broadly recognized synthetic colorant listings across food, drug, and cosmetic regulatory frameworks. The lake form inherits this regulatory standing with additional practical advantages for anhydrous formulations. Buyers should verify current approved use categories against the relevant market framework before production specification.

Common selection error: specifying FD&C Yellow 5 Lake for eye-area cosmetics in the US market. Despite its broad FD&C listing, this colorant is not on the FDA's approved eye-area colorant list. Formulators developing yellow-toned eye shadow or eyeliner must select from the specific approved eye-area colorants under 21 CFR Part 74, Subpart D.

Technical Specifications

Technical Characteristics for Formulation

Dye content at 15–22% (J grade) — what it means for formulation: Lake pigments are sold at different dye loadings; the J designation specifies a 15–22% active dye range. Lower dye content grades (below 15%) require higher mass inclusion to achieve equivalent color depth, which increases the alumina volume in the formulation and can affect texture — particularly relevant in pressed powder compacts. The J grade represents a mid-range loading that balances tinting strength with manageable use levels across most cosmetic and food applications.

Clean neutral yellow — hue profile and blending behavior: CI 19140 produces a warm lemon-yellow with good chroma and minimal greenish or orange bias compared to quinoline yellow (CI 47005, D&C Yellow 10 Lake). For formulations requiring a clean primary yellow — nail lacquer, yellow-toned lip products, or yellow pressed powder — FD&C Yellow 5 Lake is the standard specification. Combined with red lakes it produces orange and coral shades; combined with blue lakes it shifts toward green.

Non-migrating in anhydrous systems: The alumina substrate renders CI 19140 insoluble in wax, oil, and solvent-based nail lacquer matrices. Color bleed and migration — the primary failure mode of the soluble FD&C Yellow 5 dye in these systems — are eliminated. For any lipid-based or anhydrous product where yellow color stability is a specification requirement, the lake form is the correct input material.

Matte texture contribution in nail lacquer: Alumina-substrate lake pigments physically reduce surface gloss in dried lacquer films. FD&C Yellow 5 Lake contributes both color and a degree of matteness to yellow and yellow-based nail formulations — a dual function relevant for matte finish nail product development.

Kolortek has supplied FD&C and D&C lake pigments across cosmetic and food-grade specifications for over 20 years, with documented batch-to-batch dye content consistency. Certificate of Analysis covering dye content confirmation and heavy metal impurity levels is available per lot — the standard documentation requirement for cosmetic ingredient supplier qualification and food additive compliance files.

Application Range

Specification Decision Guide

If your formulation is anhydrous (nail lacquer, lipstick, wax crayon, fat-based food coating) → specify the lake form (this product), not the soluble dye. FD&C Yellow 5 (soluble Tartrazine) will dissolve into lipid matrices and migrate during storage.

If you need a clean neutral yellow without green undertone → FD&C Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140) is the better specification over D&C Yellow 10 Lake (CI 47005). D&C Yellow 10 has a distinct greenish cast inherent to the quinoline chromophore; CI 19140 produces a cleaner lemon-yellow.

If your product targets the eye area in the US market → FD&C Yellow 5 Lake is not approved for eye-area use under FDA. Select from the approved eye-area colorant list under 21 CFR Part 74, Subpart D for that product category.

If your EU food product contains this colorant → confirm the E102 advisory labeling requirement ("may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children") applies to your product category under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 before finalizing the specification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the "J" grade designation mean for FD&C Yellow 5 Aluminum Lake?
A: The J designation indicates a dye content of 15–22% — the proportion of active Tartrazine (CI 19140) precipitated onto the alumina substrate. Different lake grades carry different dye loadings; lower-content grades (e.g., below 15%) require higher mass addition to match the color output of a J grade, which increases the alumina volume in the formulation. Confirming dye content range before sourcing prevents color inconsistency between production batches when switching suppliers.

Q: What is the difference between FD&C Yellow 5 and FD&C Yellow 5 Aluminum Lake?
A: FD&C Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is a water-soluble pyrazolone azo dye. It dissolves in aqueous systems but migrates through wax, oil, and anhydrous matrices, causing color bleed in lipstick, nail lacquer, and pressed powder. The Aluminum Lake form is insoluble — the dye is precipitated onto alumina, converting it from a soluble dye to a dispersible pigment. For all anhydrous cosmetic and fat-based food applications, the lake form is the correct specification.

Q: How does FD&C Yellow 5 Lake compare to D&C Yellow 10 Lake for nail and lip applications?
A: Both are yellow lake pigments approved for nail and lip use under FDA, but their hue profiles differ. FD&C Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140) produces a clean lemon-yellow with minimal green bias. D&C Yellow 10 Lake (CI 47005) has a pronounced greenish undertone inherent to the quinoline chromophore. For formulations requiring a pure yellow without green cast — standard yellow nail lacquers, yellow-toned lipsticks — FD&C Yellow 5 Lake is the preferred specification. D&C Yellow 10 Lake is more useful in chartreuse or olive-toned shades where the green bias is intentional.

Q: Does the EU E102 advisory labeling requirement affect cosmetic products?
A: The E102 Southampton advisory ("may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children") applies specifically to food products under EU food additive regulations (Regulation EC 1333/2008). It does not apply to cosmetic products regulated under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC 1223/2009). Formulators should confirm the applicable regulatory framework for each product type in their portfolio.

Q: What documentation is available for supplier qualification?
A: Kolortek provides TDS, SDS, Certificate of Analysis (covering dye content confirmation and heavy metal impurity data), and INCI documentation on request. Contact the technical team to discuss requirements for specific market submissions or regulatory filings.

Request Samples or Confirm Dye Content Documentation

Dye content consistency across production lots is the primary technical concern when sourcing lake pigments for cosmetic or food applications — and the most direct way to verify it is a Certificate of Analysis against your specification. Contact Kolortek to request a sample of FD&C Yellow 5J Aluminum Lake, a CoA confirming the 15–22% dye content range, TDS, SDS, or INCI documentation for your supplier qualification file.