What is E105?

Complete guide to understanding E105 (Fast Yellow AB)

The Quick Answer

E105 is a banned synthetic food dye that is no longer legal in modern foods.

It was previously used to add yellow color to foods and beverages.

You will not find it in current food products in the EU or USA—it has been completely delisted due to safety concerns.

What Exactly Is It?

E105, also known as Fast Yellow AB, is a synthetic chemical dye.

It was classified as an azo dye—a type of synthetic colorant made through chemical processes (not from natural sources).

The name “Fast Yellow AB” refers to the dye’s color and its resistance to fading (fastness).

Before its ban, it was used exclusively to color food products yellow.

Where You’ll Find It (Historically)

E105 appeared in:

• Confectionery and candies
• Beverages and soft drinks
• Powdered dessert mixes
• Various processed foods
• Textiles and dyes (wool, cotton, silk)

Important: E105 is no longer found in any legally-produced foods in the EU or USA. If you see it listed, the product is either very old, illegally manufactured, or mislabeled.

Why Was It Banned?

E105 was delisted from approved food additives due to serious health concerns.

Toxicological studies revealed that the dye was harmful to human health.

The primary concern: E105 was implicated in triggering non-atopic asthma—asthma attacks in people without allergies.

Additionally, the dye was suspected of increasing hyperactivity in children, similar to other problematic synthetic dyes.

Because of these documented risks, regulators in both the EU and USA made the decision to completely remove it from the approved food additives list.

Regulatory History

Before the ban: E105 was approved as a food coloring in European countries.

The action: Both the European Union and United States delisted E105 as a permitted food additive.

Current status: It is forbidden for use in any foods or beverages in these jurisdictions.

The ban has been in place for decades, making E105 essentially extinct in the modern food supply.

Difference Between E105 and Similar Dyes

You might confuse E105 with other yellow dyes, particularly E102 (Tartrazine), which is still approved in many regions.

Key difference: E102 remains controversial but is still legally permitted in the EU and USA (with warning labels required). E105, by contrast, was deemed so hazardous that it was completely banned with no continued approval anywhere.

This means E105 posed a greater health risk than even the most controversial currently-approved dyes.

Natural Alternatives Today

Modern food manufacturers avoid synthetic dyes like E105 by using safer options:

• Beta-carotene (E160a) – from carrots
• Annatto (E160b) – from seeds
• Curcumin (E100) – from turmeric
• Saffron (E164) – from saffron flowers

These natural alternatives provide color without the health risks associated with synthetic azo dyes like E105.

The Bottom Line

E105 (Fast Yellow AB) is a completely banned synthetic food dye that you will not encounter in any legally-produced food products.

It was delisted due to documented health risks, particularly its association with triggering asthma attacks.

If you ever see E105 listed on a food product label, it indicates the product is either extremely old, counterfeit, or illegally manufactured.

Modern regulations protect consumers by removing the most dangerous additives from our food supply—E105 is a prime example of this protective action.