Quinoline Yellow E104
synthetic — Primarily coal tar derivative.
Mixture of disulfonates (principally)
CAS: 8004-92-0
Factual Regulatory Reference
This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.
What Is Quinoline Yellow?
Quinoline Yellow (E104) is a synthetic dye derived from quinoline, producing a greenish-yellow color used in food products including smoked fish, Scotch eggs, certain beverages, and confectionery. It is one of the synthetic food dyes evaluated in the 2007 Southampton study on food colors and childhood hyperactivity, and is subject to the EU mandatory warning label 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.' While approved in the EU as E104, Quinoline Yellow is not authorized for food use in the United States, Canada, Japan, or Australia/NZ. EFSA re-evaluated Quinoline Yellow in 2009 and established an ADI of 0.5 mg/kg body weight per day.
? Did You Know?
Beyond food, Quinoline Yellow is also used in cosmetics, medicine, industrial applications. Its versatility makes it one of the most multi-purpose chemical compounds in everyday life.
Regulatory opinions differ: Quinoline Yellow is approved in EU, JAPAN but banned in USA, CANADA. This reflects different risk assessment philosophies between regions.
Regulatory Analysis
Quinoline Yellow presents a distinct regulatory pattern from the 'Southampton Six' artificial colors: while it was not itself part of the 2007 McCann et al. Southampton study mixture, it carries the same mandatory EU warning label introduced by Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 for synthetic azo and quinoline dyes. EFSA re-evaluated E104 in 2009 and maintained an ADI of 0.5 mg/kg body weight, concluding existing data did not prove causation for hyperactivity. The FDA has never approved E104 for food use, and Canada also prohibits it, meaning the EU stands largely alone among major regulatory jurisdictions in authorizing its use. The EU warning label represents a hybrid regulatory position — maintaining authorization while mandating a precautionary consumer disclosure — rather than prohibition.
Detailed Regulatory Assessment
European Union (EFSA)
Must carry warning: 'May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'
United States (FDA)
Not approved for use in foods in the USA
Japan (MHLW)
Compliant with Japanese food sanitation law.
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
International Standard (JECFA)
mg/kg body weight per day
European Standard (EFSA)
Natural Occurrence
This additive is not known to occur naturally in significant quantities.
Manufacturing
Produced by sulfonation of quinoline derivatives, resulting in a mixture of disulfonates.
Applications Beyond Food
Limited use in cosmetics in some regions.
Used as a colorant in some pharmaceutical preparations.
Used in textile and paper industries.