Sunset Yellow FCF E110
Sunset Yellow FCF is a food-grade synthetic orange-yellow colour used by industrial food and beverage manufacturers for visual identity, shade development, colour standardisation and batch-to-batch appearance control. It is selected where strong tinting power, water solubility, repeatable shade and cost-effective colour performance are required in approved applications. This page is prepared for purchasing teams, R&D technologists, QA departments and import managers who need structured technical information before requesting a quotation.
Product identity
| Product name | Sunset Yellow FCF |
|---|---|
| Common names | Sunset Yellow FCF E110, Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow No. 6, CI Food Yellow 3 |
| Chemical formula | C16H10N2Na2O7S2 |
| CAS number | 2783-94-0 |
| Colour Index | CI 15985 |
| E / INS number | E110 / INS 110 |
| Category | Colours & Colouring Foods |
| Primary function | Synthetic food colour, orange-yellow shade development and colour standardisation |
| Typical appearance | Orange-red to reddish-orange powder or granule, depending on grade and supplier |
| Typical handling form | Water-soluble powder, granule, prepared liquid solution, blend or lake grade depending on application |
Application fit
Sunset Yellow FCF is normally evaluated where a bright yellow-orange to orange shade is required and the destination market permits certified synthetic colours. Potential use areas may include:
- Carbonated soft drinks, still drinks, powdered drinks and beverage concentrates
- Hard candy, gummies, jellies, chewing gum and confectionery coatings
- Dairy desserts, puddings, ice cream systems and dessert toppings where permitted
- Sauces, seasonings, snack coatings and savory dry mixes
- Bakery decorations, fillings, glazes and sweet toppings
- Processed foods requiring consistent orange-yellow visual identity
Technical overview for industrial buyers
Sunset Yellow FCF is a high-strength synthetic azo colour used when manufacturers require reproducible orange-yellow shade, strong tinting power and predictable performance across batches. In industrial production, the colour is evaluated not only by name and E number, but also by dye content, shade standard, solubility, particle size, moisture, insoluble matter, subsidiary dyes, heavy metals, microbiological expectations, packaging protection and regulatory documentation.
For purchasing teams, colour strength and shade consistency are critical because small differences between suppliers or batches can affect finished product appearance. R&D and QA teams should compare candidate lots in the actual product matrix, not only in water. Acidity, sugar level, fat content, protein, minerals, heat treatment, light exposure, packaging material and storage time can all influence colour perception and final shelf appearance.
Functional role in formulation
- Shade development: provides yellow-orange to orange tones depending on dosage, matrix and blending system.
- Colour standardisation: helps correct natural raw-material variation in beverages, sauces, desserts and snacks.
- Visual identity: supports consistent consumer recognition for orange, tropical, citrus and fruit-flavored products.
- Blend compatibility: can be blended with other permitted colours to create orange, amber, peach, red-orange or brownish tones.
- Water-soluble dosing: suitable for solution preparation and controlled addition in liquid processes.
- Cost-effective tinting: strong colour value may allow low use rates compared with lower-strength colour systems.
Key buying parameters
| Grade | Food grade; confirm compliance with buyer specification and destination-market rules |
|---|---|
| Dye content | Request declared colour strength or dye content with test method on specification and COA |
| Shade standard | Compare against buyer-approved standard using the finished product matrix |
| Solubility | Important for beverages, syrups, liquid concentrates and solution dosing |
| Particle size | Relevant for dissolution speed, dusting, dry blending and handling behavior |
| Insoluble matter | Critical for clear beverages, syrups and filtered liquid products |
| Impurity profile | Review subsidiary dyes, unsulfonated aromatic amines and market-specific purity limits where required |
| Packaging | Commonly supplied in sealed bags, fiber drums, cartons, HDPE containers or export pallet packaging |
Industrial application notes
In beverage production, Sunset Yellow FCF is commonly dissolved before addition to ensure uniform colour distribution and avoid localized high-colour spots. Beverage manufacturers should evaluate clarity, precipitation risk, pH, pasteurization, carbonation, light exposure and packaging type. For clear beverages and syrups, insoluble matter and solution clarity are especially important because even minor particulate contamination can cause visible defects or filtration issues.
In confectionery, Sunset Yellow FCF can be used in sugar syrups, gummies, hard candy, coatings, jellies and fillings where permitted. Heat exposure, pH, reducing sugars, gelatin, pectin, starch, acids and storage conditions can influence the final shade. For coated products, the buyer should confirm whether a water-soluble dye, aluminium lake, dispersion or pre-blended colour system is more appropriate for the process.
In snacks, seasonings and dry mixes, colour distribution depends on carrier selection, particle size, mixing order, fat content, oil spray systems and powder adhesion. Dry-blend manufacturers should validate segregation risk and colour uniformity after transport vibration. For sauces, fillings and viscous systems, addition point and mixing energy should be checked to prevent streaking, uneven shade or colour concentration gradients.
Colour system design
- Define the target shade using a physical standard, approved sample or instrumental colour value.
- Test the colour in the final food matrix, not only in water or a laboratory solution.
- Evaluate pH, heat process, light exposure, packaging oxygen and shelf-life conditions.
- Confirm whether a soluble dye, lake, liquid solution, dispersion or custom blend is required.
- Check compatibility with acids, preservatives, minerals, proteins, emulsifiers and processing aids.
- Validate dosage against legal limits, label requirements and customer specifications.
Process and handling considerations
- Use dust-control measures and avoid uncontrolled colour staining during weighing and transfer.
- Store containers tightly closed and protected from moisture, heat and direct light.
- Prepare concentrated solutions with clean water and sufficient agitation before dosing where applicable.
- Use dedicated scoops, scales or handling tools to reduce cross-colour contamination.
- Confirm cleaning procedures for mixers, tanks, filling lines and contact surfaces after colour use.
- Maintain lot traceability from raw material receipt through finished product batch records.
Quality control checkpoints
Food manufacturers usually review Sunset Yellow FCF through both chemical purity and practical colour performance. A technically acceptable material should meet regulatory purity criteria while also matching the buyer’s approved shade, colour strength and processing behavior. For high-volume users, supplier consistency is particularly important because colour variation can create visible finished-product differences even when the formula remains unchanged.
Typical laboratory checks
- Appearance, color tone and foreign matter inspection
- Identification and assay or dye content confirmation
- Moisture or loss on drying
- Water-insoluble matter and solution clarity
- Subsidiary dyes and organic impurities where specified
- Unsulfonated aromatic amines where required by market or buyer specification
- Lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium or other heavy metals according to destination rules
- Lot number, manufacturing date and shelf-life verification
Physical performance checks
- Particle size distribution or sieve analysis
- Dissolution speed in the buyer’s water, syrup or product base
- Shade match against approved standard
- Colour strength comparison using controlled dosage
- Heat, acid and light stability testing in the finished formulation
- Dry blend distribution and segregation risk in premixes
- Staining behavior and equipment cleanability
- Packaging seal integrity and pallet condition
Regulatory and compliance notes
Sunset Yellow FCF is commonly identified as E110 or INS 110. In some markets it may also be referenced under FD&C Yellow No. 6 or a local permitted-colour list. Permitted food categories, maximum use levels, warning statements, naming conventions and purity criteria can differ significantly by destination country. Some applications may allow the colour only within specific food categories or concentration limits, while other markets may restrict or prohibit certain uses.
Because colour regulations are market-sensitive, export-oriented manufacturers should confirm regulatory suitability before purchasing stock. Label declarations should be reviewed by the buyer’s regulatory team, especially where the market requires additive class names, E numbers, certified colour names, warning statements or special declarations for synthetic colours. When developing products for multiple destinations, the strictest market requirement may determine the final colour system.
Recommended documents to request
- Product specification or technical data sheet with dye content, purity and physical parameters
- Certificate of analysis for available batch or lot
- Safety data sheet where applicable
- Food-grade declaration and statement of intended food use
- Colour strength, shade standard or approved reference sample information
- Origin statement and manufacturer information where available
- Allergen, GMO, vegan, halal, kosher or animal-origin declarations when required
- Heavy metals, subsidiary dye and market-specific purity statements where applicable
- Shelf-life, storage condition and light-protection recommendation
- Label draft, net weight, bag or drum dimensions, pallet configuration and container loading estimate
- Traceability information, batch coding format and recall-support documentation
Specification information useful for quotation
For a faster and more accurate quotation, provide the target specification, required colour strength, preferred form, annual and first-order quantity, destination country, delivery term, packaging preference, required certifications, inspection requirements and expected shipment date. If you already purchase Sunset Yellow FCF, share the existing COA, product label, shade standard, technical data sheet or benchmark supplier specification so equivalent options can be compared by dye content, colour strength, particle size, solubility, origin, documentation and logistics cost.
Packaging and logistics
Industrial Sunset Yellow FCF is usually quoted according to packaging type, net weight, palletization, container loading, port of loading, Incoterms and destination. Colour powders should be protected from moisture, contamination and direct light. Export shipments should be reviewed for bag or drum strength, inner liner quality, pallet wrapping, container humidity control, documentation deadlines and destination customs requirements.
Commercial evaluation criteria
- Food-grade status and documentation completeness
- Consistency of dye content, shade, solubility and moisture
- Suitability for beverages, confectionery, sauces, snacks or dry blends
- Availability of buyer-approved shade standard or sample
- Lead time, stock position and minimum order quantity
- Packaging suitability for manual, semi-automatic or automated handling
- Regulatory fit for the destination market
- Total landed cost, not only unit price
How to request this product
Send the product name, E number or colour name required on the label, target shade, grade, colour strength, physical form, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, expected shipment date and required documents. If the ingredient will be used in beverages, confectionery, desserts, sauces, snacks, bakery decoration or dry mixes, include the application category, pH, heat process and packaging format so the supplier review can focus on the most relevant technical parameters.
Useful answers
What is Sunset Yellow FCF used for in food manufacturing?
Sunset Yellow FCF is used as a synthetic orange-yellow food colour for shade development, visual identity, colour correction and batch-to-batch appearance standardisation in approved food and beverage applications.
Is Sunset Yellow FCF a natural colour?
No. Sunset Yellow FCF is a synthetic food colour. If a natural colour or colouring food is required, alternatives such as beta-carotene, paprika extract, turmeric or other approved colour systems may need to be evaluated.
Why does colour strength matter?
Colour strength affects dosage, shade intensity, cost-in-use and batch consistency. Buyers should compare supplier samples at the same dosage in the actual finished product matrix before changing source or grade.
Can Sunset Yellow FCF be blended with other colours?
Yes, where regulations permit, it can be blended with other approved colours to create orange, peach, amber, red-orange or brownish shades. Compatibility, legal limits, label declaration and finished-product stability should be verified.
Which grade should food manufacturers request?
Food manufacturers should request food-grade Sunset Yellow FCF with a clear specification, certificate of analysis, food-use declaration, dye content, impurity limits, shelf-life information, packaging details and destination-market compliance documents.
Can Global Food Additives source Sunset Yellow FCF?
Global Food Additives can review sourcing options for Sunset Yellow FCF according to target specification, shade, colour strength, quantity, destination, packaging, certification needs and required documentation.
Which documents should be requested?
Buyers commonly request a technical data sheet, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet, food-grade declaration, origin statement, allergen statement, GMO status, heavy metal limits, colour strength information, shelf-life and storage information, label details and packing configuration.
Is this product permitted in every country?
No. Food colour use depends on destination-market rules, food category, use level, label requirements and buyer responsibility. Always verify local regulations before commercial use.
Tell us which food additive or ingredient you need.
Send product names, target specifications, quantity, destination country, packaging preference, delivery term, and document requirements. Our team will review your inquiry and respond from orders@foodgradeadditives.com.
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