What is E110? (Food Additive Explained)
E110 is Sunset Yellow FCF — a synthetic orange-yellow food colouring. Like E102, it's one of the Southampton Six artificial colours that must carry a hyperactivity warning on UK and EU food labels.
What is E110?
Full name: Sunset Yellow FCF
E110 is an artificial azo dye that produces an orange-yellow colour. It's manufactured from petroleum-derived aromatic hydrocarbons and is used across a wide range of food and drink products. It was identified in the 2007 Southampton University study as one of six artificial colours associated with increased hyperactivity in children.
What does E110 do in food?
E110 is used purely as a colouring agent to give foods a warm orange or sunset-yellow appearance. It's particularly popular in products where an orange hue is desirable — squash, marmalade-flavoured products, and confectionery. It's often combined with other colours to achieve specific shades, such as red or brown tones.
Where is E110 found?
E110 is commonly found in:
- Orange squash and fruit drinks
- Sweets and jelly confectionery
- Apricot jam and marmalade
- Packet soups and instant noodles
- Cake decorations and icing
- Some cheese and snack coatings
Is E110 bad for you?
E110 is approved in the EU and UK with an ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight per day, but like all Southampton Six colours, products containing it must display the warning: 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'. Some people with aspirin intolerance or asthma may experience sensitivity reactions. It has been voluntarily removed from many UK supermarket own-brand products. It is banned in Norway and Finland.
Why E110 matters for food choices
E110 is another additive that serves no purpose beyond making food look more appealing. Its presence is a reliable signal of industrial food processing — you would never encounter Sunset Yellow in home cooking. Under the NOVA classification, artificial colours like E110 are characteristic of Group 4 ultra-processed foods. When you see it on a label, it's worth asking: why does this product need artificial colour?
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