# Yellow Number Five **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [December 14, 2000, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-number-five/45505 "2000-12-14T07:33:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-number-five/45505/1 "2000-12-14T07:33:03Z")
Cecil’s column from 29-Aug-1997, [Mountain Dew = shrinking 'nads?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a970829a.html) makes the comment that there is a link between aspirin sensitivity and tetrazine (FD&C yellow number five). I’m more concerned about that, then the shrinking balls thing (unless Cecil comes back and says, yeah, maybe there is something to it, then I would sit up and take notice). Aspirin allergies can be severe, and often extend to all [NSAIDs](http://adultpain.nursing.uiowa.edu/NSAIDS/NSAIDSte.htm). I haven’t taken aspirin since a bad reaction twenty-five years ago, and the only time I took Ibuprofen, I was rushed to the hospital. Some online sites criticize tetrazine’s use in food (a long list of common foods seem to contain it, even ones that aren’t particularly yellow). How strong of a dose does one consume in Mountain Dew, in comparison to aspirin? How about cheese, butter, fruit, Kraft Dinners, etc.? ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-number-five/45505/2 "2000-12-14T13:54:01Z")
Who are you callin’ yellow, Mister? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-number-five/45505/3 "2000-12-14T15:11:42Z")
**RM,** It sounds to me like talking about “safe amounts” is beside the point. This website seems to be saying, “Avoid Yellow Dye #5 totally, if you’re allergic to aspirin.” [http://www.allergyweb.com/articles/aspirin.html](http://www.allergyweb.com/articles/aspirin.html) > [@](#): > > Artificial coloring, for example Tartrazine Yellow (FD&C No. 5), may rarely mimic aspirin sensitivity. This dye is present in many foods including alcoholic and soft drinks, candies, artificial orange juice (TANG), luncheon meats, preserves, jams, fruit gelatins, ice cream, colored baked goods, toothpaste, and mouth wash. Always read the labels on packaged foods and try to avoid those that contain this artificial coloring if you’re sensitive to aspirin. > > Tartrazine dyes are also present in some medicines including some antihistamine preparations used to treat allergies. Use only those medications prescribed by your doctor, and be suspicious of any colored pills if you develop an itch, rash, or stuffy nose after you start taking them. And in case anybody is interested, here are The Feds themselves, in 1992. We pay them to be reassuring. [http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/foodaddi.html](http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/foodaddi.html) > [@](#): > > Q. Does FD&C Yellow No.5 cause allergic reactions? > > A. FD&C Yellow No.5, or tartrazine, is used to color beverages, dessert powders, candy ice cream, custards and other foods. The color additive may cause hives in fewer than one out of 10,000 people. By law, whenever the color is added to foods or taken internally, it must be listed on the label. This allows the small portion of people who may be sensitive to FD&C Yellow No.5 to avoid it. > > Q. Do additives cause childhood hyperactivity? > > A. No. Although this theory was popularized in the 1970’s, well-controlled studies conducted since that time have produced no evidence that food additives cause hyperactivity or learning disabilities in children. A Consensus Development Panel of the National Institutes of Health concluded in 1982 that there was no scientific evidence to support the claim that additives or colorings cause hyperactivity. ---
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-number-five/45505/4 "2000-12-14T16:56:13Z")
Thanks for the references, Goose. One out of 10,000 people would get hives from tartrazine? (“tetrazine”?, I musta been hungry) What is the incidence of aspirin allergy? In other words, how many people who are allergic to aspirin also are effected by yellow dye number five? Five, I guess drinking Coke hasn’t shrunk yours yet. ---
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-number-five/45505/5 "2000-12-16T07:40:53Z")
I checked a lot of my food store, and found very little yellow dye number five. Maybe I just didn’t like it? Guess I didn’t really need Journalest to tell me that. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-number-five/45505/6 "2000-12-16T23:44:41Z")
well if this stuff does cause “testicular atrophy” it didnt work on me…it was all i drank for years…and i have identical twin sons…go figure? ---
**Author:** ![RM\_Mentock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@RM\_Mentock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RM_Mentock)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2000, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-number-five/45505/7 "2000-12-17T05:31:19Z")
You drank nothing but yellow dye number five for years? What color are your kids?