Tartrazine intake and intolerance reactions reviewed
What it found
In a review of animal studies, tartrazine did not raise toxicological concerns, and the authors say it is hard to show a clear link between eating it and intolerance reactions in people.
Such reactions mainly happen in patients who already have recurring hives or asthma.
What they found
Studies in people
Intolerance reactions
It was hard to show a clear relationship between eating tartrazine and intolerance reactions in patients. These reactions mainly occur in patients who also have recurring hives or asthma.
How common intolerance is
The prevalence of tartrazine intolerance is estimated to be less than 0.12% in the general population.
Animal and lab studies
Animal studies
The review of animal studies confirmed the earlier hazard assessment by JECFA, including the acceptable daily intake set at 7.5 mg per kg body weight.
Other findings
Intake in French children
In France, the estimated maximum theoretical intake of tartrazine in children was 37.2% of the acceptable daily intake at the 97.5th percentile.
Labelling gaps
People at risk generally know to check food labels to avoid tartrazine. But products like ice creams, desserts, cakes and fine bakery are often sold loose without any labelling.
What the authors conclude
“It may therefore be concluded that from a toxicological point of view, tartrazine does not represent a risk for the consumer.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that from a toxicological point of view, tartrazine does not represent a risk for the consumer.
- They say the link between tartrazine consumption and intolerance reactions is often overestimated, and the mechanisms remain poorly understood.
How it was done
Many new studies have appeared since the last assessment by JECFA in 1964, and some have linked tartrazine to food intolerance reactions. The authors wanted to update the hazard assessment and re-check the safety of tartrazine.
The authors reviewed animal studies and looked at estimated maximum theoretical daily intake of tartrazine in France. They also examined reports of intolerance reactions in patients.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The review of animal studies cannot show what happens in people.
- The intake estimate is theoretical and does not measure actual consumption.
- The reports of intolerance reactions cannot prove that tartrazine caused them.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- French Food Safety Agency (Afssa), France
The paper
- Title
- New considerations regarding the risk assessment on Tartrazine An update toxicological assessment, intolerance reactions and maximum theoretical daily intake in France
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Elhkim MO, Héraud F, Bemrah N, et al (2007). New considerations regarding the risk assessment on Tartrazine An update toxicological assessment, intolerance reactions and maximum theoretical daily intake in France. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2006.11.004PubMed 17218045DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error