What is Tartrazine (E 102)?
Tartrazine is a synthetic food colorant used to give or restore yellow color to foods. It is defined in the Turkish Food Codex with code E 102 and Color Index (CI) 19140. It is water-soluble and falls under Group III (colorants with determined combined maximum quantities when used together) within the scope of the Turkish Food Codex Food Additives Regulation.
Where is Tartrazine Used?
It is used for coloring in flavored beverages, confectionery and desserts, flavored creams, processed cheese, canned pea products, fish products, and breakfast cereals. The maximum permitted amount varies for each food category (see table below).
Pharmaceutical / Food Industry Usage
- Lake (aluminum lake) form is water-insoluble; it is used in pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements as a coating colorant (for coating tablets, dragees, capsules, and supplement products).
- Synthetic food colors can also be used in pharmaceuticals depending on their specification. If the product specification includes USP, NF, or Ph.Eur notation, the product's compliance with pharmaceutical (pharmacopeial) standards is verified according to these standards.
- There is no ban on usage in dietary supplements; it can be used within the limits established for foods.
How Much Tartrazine is Used in Which Food? — Legal Limits (Turkish Food Codex)
E 102 is a Group III colorant; the combined maximum determined for the group applies in many categories (e.g., 150 mg/kg in flavored creams). Limits explicitly specified for E 102 in legislation:
| Food category | Maximum amount | Footnote |
|---|---|---|
| Flavored creams (Group III) | 150 mg/kg | — |
| Processed pea puree / garden peas (canned) | 100 mg/kg | — |
| Flavored processed cheese | 100 mg/kg | (33) |
| Fish paste and crustacean paste | 100 mg/kg | (35) |
| Pre-cooked crustaceans | 250 mg/kg | (36) |
| Smoked fish | 100 mg/kg | (37) |
| Americano, bitter vino | 100 mg/kg | (26)(27) |
| Bitter soda | 100 mg/kg | (28) |
| Breakfast cereals (2002/55 Regulation) | 100 mg/kg | — |
Legislative footnotes: The total amount of E 104, E 110, E 124, and Group III colorants (61) must not exceed the maximum specified for Group III. (74) The maximum for aluminum from the aluminum lake form is 15 mg/kg (applicable to Tartrazine Lake).
E-Number, Color, and Technical Properties
- E code: E 102 · Color Index: CI 19140 · Color: yellow
- CAS No: 1934-21-0 · Chemical Formula: C16H9N4Na3O9S2
- Forms: powder (Tartrazine) and aluminum lake (Tartrazine Lake)
- Solubility: water-soluble
Storage, Shelf Life, and Re-test Period
For our products, the recommended re-test period is 3 years; it may extend up to 5 years with some manufacturers and varies by manufacturer. The CoA / specification document of the relevant batch shall be taken as the basis for the exact re-test date.
Technical Documents and Supply — Asuka Kimya
You can contact Asuka Kimya for SDS, TDS, CoA, and pharmacopeial (USP/NF/Ph.Eur) compliance information for Tartrazine (E 102) and Tartrazine Lake, as well as for supply conditions.