Tartrazine is a synthetic yellow azo dye. It is popularly used in drugs, particularly in shells of medicinal capsules, syrups, cosmetics, fruit cordials, colored fizzy drinks, instant puddings, cake mixes, custard powder, soups, sauces, ice creams, ice lollies, sweets, chewing gum, marzipan, jam, jelly, marmalade and mustard yogurt. They are also used in many convenience foods along with glycerine and honey products.

It can also be used with Brilliant Blue FCF for the formation of various green shades, For e.g. fro tinned processed peas.

No.	Molecular Description	Composition
1)	Total colour/Assay, percent by Mass, min	85
2)	Water-insoluble matter, percent by mass, Max.	0.2
3)	Combined ether extracts, percent by mass, Max.	0.2
4)	Subsidiary dyes, percent by mass, Max.	1
5)	Dye intermediates, percent by mass, max. I-P-(Sulfophenyl)-5-pyrazolone-3-carboxylic acid. Aniline-4-Sulfonilic Acid.	00.50
6)	Unsulfonated primary aromatic amine (calculated as aniline) percent by mass, max.	0.01
7)	Lead, mg/kg, Max.	10
8)	Arsenic, mg/kg, Max.	3
9)	Heavy metals, (as pb) mg/kg, max	40
10)	Mercury, mg/kg, Max.	1
11)	Cadmium, mg/kg, Max	1