Tartrazine, a.k.a. Yellow #5
As the name suggests, Yellow #5 (tartrazine) is a synthetic food dye. It is mostly found in a popular soda brand called Mountain Dew. But what’s the problem with tartrazine?
Back in 1975, the chief allergist of Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Ben Feingold, said that Yellow #5 (tartrazine) is responsible for hyperactivity in some children. No one really believed his claims back then, but due to medical advances, scientists showed that Yellow #5 could indeed increase hyperactivity in children, particularly when mixed with certain artificial colors.
That’s why companies are now obligated to place labels on their food items that contain tartrazine.