What is E107?

Complete guide to understanding E107 (Yellow 2G)

The Quick Answer

E107 (Yellow 2G) is a synthetic food dye that is banned or heavily restricted in most countries worldwide.

It was previously used to add yellow color to foods like mayonnaise, candies, and soft drinks.

You should avoid this ingredient if you find it on a label, as it has been linked to serious health concerns including asthma and hyperactivity.

What Exactly Is It?

E107, also known as Yellow 2G, is a synthetic chemical dye derived from coal tar.

It’s classified as an azo dye—a type of synthetic colorant that has raised health concerns across multiple regulatory agencies.

Yellow 2G appears as a yellow powder with a slight green tint and is water-soluble.

The name “2G” refers to its chemical structure and classification among yellow azo dyes.

Where You’ll Find It

E107 was historically used in:

• Mayonnaise and salad dressings
• Soft drinks and beverages
• Confectionery and candies
• Desserts and cake mixes
• Ice cream and frozen treats

Current availability: E107 is rarely found in modern commercial foods due to widespread bans. If you encounter it on a label today, the product is either from a country where it remains permitted (very few), or the product is significantly outdated.

Why Was It Banned?

E107 has been banned or restricted due to serious documented health concerns:

1. Asthma and Allergies: Yellow 2G is implicated in triggering asthma attacks and allergic reactions, particularly in people with aspirin intolerance or pre-existing asthma.

2. Hyperactivity in Children: The Hyperactive Children’s Support Group (HACSG) specifically recommends that E107 be eliminated from children’s diets due to its association with behavioral problems.

3. Skin Reactions: E107 can cause rashes and dermatological reactions in sensitive individuals.

4. No Safe Level Established: Unlike approved food additives, no Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) has been determined for E107, indicating insufficient evidence of safety.

The combination of these concerns—affecting both respiratory health, behavioral health, and dermatological health—led regulators to conclude that the dye posed unacceptable risks compared to available alternatives.

Regulatory Status Worldwide

Completely Banned:

• United States
• Canada
• Japan
• Australia
• Austria
• Norway
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Severely Restricted:

• United Kingdom (only permitted in very limited applications)
• EU (proposing total ban, currently phase-out)

This level of regulatory consensus—banning across multiple major jurisdictions—indicates the severity of health concerns surrounding this dye.

Natural Alternatives Today

Modern food manufacturers replace E107 with safer options:

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

These natural alternatives provide color without the documented health risks associated with synthetic azo dyes like E107.

The Bottom Line

E107 (Yellow 2G) is a synthetic food dye that has been banned or severely restricted in most of the world due to health risks.

It is implicated in asthma, allergies, and hyperactivity—particularly in children and people with aspirin sensitivity.

If you find E107 on a modern food label, avoid the product—it either violates regulations in your country or comes from a jurisdiction that still permits it (currently only the UK with proposed EU ban).

The widespread international bans represent a rare consensus among regulators that this ingredient is hazardous to human health.

Safe, natural alternatives have made E107 obsolete in modern food manufacturing.