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Is Yellow 5 being banned?

Short answer

No. Yellow 5 is not federally banned. It is in FDA's voluntary phase-out, targeted for the end of 2027. West Virginia bans it in food sold there from January 1, 2028.

Is Yellow 5 being banned? No. Yellow 5 is in FDA's voluntary phase-out, targeted for the end of 2027. West Virginia bans it in food sold there from January 1, 2028.

By OTHER Natural Flavors, a service of Xponent21 Inc · Last checked October 31, 2026

No, FD&C Yellow No. 5 (Yellow 5) is not federally banned in the United States.

Yellow 5 is part of an FDA voluntary phase-out. FDA is working with industry to eliminate six certified color additives (Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2) by the end of 2027 (FDA, Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes, content current as of 10/16/2026).

A voluntary phase-out is different from a revoked authorization. Food manufacturers must remove FD&C Red No. 3 by January 15, 2027, under an FDA order (Jan 15, 2025), via National Law Review. Yellow 5 has no such federal order.

State laws set their own rules. West Virginia HB 2354 bars Yellow 5 from school nutrition programs as of August 1, 2025, and from food sold in the state as of January 1, 2028 (West Virginia Legislature). In Texas, SB 25 warning labels apply to food labels developed or copyrighted on or after January 1, 2027 (Texas DSHS). A federal court preliminarily enjoined enforcement of SB 25 on February 11, 2026 against four trade associations and their members; the appeal is pending. See state food dye laws.

Natural color replacements do not perform the same in every product. Test each application for heat, light and pH stability. OTHER Natural Flavors does not manufacture, sell or own any color or flavor supplier.

FDAVoluntary phase-outState lawsYellow 5
InfoOTHER Natural Flavors is a service of Xponent21 Inc. We share public information and introductions. We do not give legal or regulatory advice and do not guarantee that any color or flavor will perform in your product. Confirm regulatory status with counsel and test every formulation. Sources and the date we last checked them are listed on each page.
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