What is “FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake”?
FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake is a color additive form of FD&C Yellow 6 (also known as sunset yellow FCF). In the “aluminum lake” form, the dye is bound to an aluminum salt to make it less soluble and easier to disperse in certain products like tablets, capsules, and some coated foods or supplements.
Where is it commonly used?
You’ll usually see FD&C Yellow No. 6 (and/or its aluminum lake form) in items where a stable, dry dye is needed, such as:
- Foods and beverages (where permitted)
- Dietary supplements (especially as a component of colored tablets/capsules)
- Pharmaceuticals (as a tablet/capsule colorant)
Why use the “aluminum lake” version instead of the dye alone?
Binding the dye to aluminum makes the colorant behave differently from the free dye (the non-laked form). In practice, the “lake” form is often chosen because it:
- Disperses more easily in solids
- Can be more stable in some formulations
- Helps control dye behavior during processing (mixing, coating, and manufacturing)
Is it the same as FD&C Yellow 6?
Yes, it’s the same underlying colorant, FD&C Yellow 6, but presented as an “aluminum lake” salt form rather than the dye in its free (more soluble) form.
Is it safe?
In the U.S., FD&C colors are regulated by the FDA for specific uses. The permitted status depends on the product type and regulatory category (food vs. drug vs. supplement) and the exact specifications for that colorant form.
If you’re asking for an ingredient interpretation on a label
Seeing “FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake” on a label means the manufacturer is using that specific laked form as the coloring agent, not a different dye.
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If you tell me what label or product this came from (food, supplement, or medicine, and the exact full ingredient line), I can help interpret what it means in that specific context.