INS 110 / E110ColourVegan

Sunset Yellow FCF (INS 110)

TL;DR

INS 110 is Sunset Yellow FCF, a synthetic orange-yellow azo colour. It is used to give a bright, consistent orange-to-yellow shade to drinks, sweets, and savouries where a stable colour matters more than a natural origin. It is generally vegan and is permitted by FSSAI for specified food categories with restrictions.

Quick Facts

INS Number
110
E-Number
E110
Category
Colour
Veg Status
Vegan
FSSAI Status
Permitted with restrictions
JECFA ADI
0-4 mg/kg bw (2011)
Chemical Name
disodium 6-hydroxy-5-[(4-sulfonatophenyl)azo]naphthalene-2-sulfonate

What is INS 110?

INS 110 is Sunset Yellow FCF, a synthetic orange-yellow azo colour. It is used to give a bright, consistent orange-to-yellow shade to drinks, sweets, and savouries where a stable colour matters more than a natural origin.

Why brands add it

Brands use it because it produces a stable orange shade that holds up under sunlight, heat, and acidic conditions. It is one of the workhorse synthetic colours behind orange-coloured soft drinks, sweet shop barfis, and orange-coloured namkeen.

Where you'll find it

INS 110 commonly shows up on Indian packets in these categories:

  • soft drinks and squashes
  • boiled sweets and gummies
  • namkeen and savoury mixes
  • kulfi and ice lollies
  • icings and cake decorations
  • marmalade and jams

Veg or non-veg? - Vegan

Sunset Yellow FCF is produced by chemical synthesis. No animal product is used in its manufacture.

FSSAI status and JECFA evaluation

FSSAI: Permitted by FSSAI as a synthetic food colour under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, restricted to specified food categories with category-specific upper limits. FSS rules also limit total synthetic colour use to 100 ppm in many categories.

JECFA: ADI raised from 0-2.5 mg/kg bw to 0-4 mg/kg bw at the 74th JECFA (2011) based on new toxicological data. EFSA aligned its evaluation with JECFA in 2014.

Also known as

On packets, in recipes, and in conversation, INS 110 is also called:

110ins 110e110e 110sunset yellowsunset yellow fcffd&c yellow 6yellow 6ci food yellow 3orange yellow s

Frequently Asked Questions

Is INS 110 vegetarian?+
Vegan. Sunset Yellow FCF is produced by chemical synthesis. No animal product is used in its manufacture.
Is INS 110 permitted by FSSAI?+
Permitted by FSSAI as a synthetic food colour under Schedule I of the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, restricted to specified food categories with category-specific upper limits. FSS rules also limit total synthetic colour use to 100 ppm in many categories.
What is INS 110 used for?+
Brands use it because it produces a stable orange shade that holds up under sunlight, heat, and acidic conditions. It is one of the workhorse synthetic colours behind orange-coloured soft drinks, sweet shop barfis, and orange-coloured namkeen.
Is INS 110 (also written as E110) the same thing?+
Yes. INS 110 (the Codex International Numbering System used by FSSAI) and E110 (the European E-number system) refer to the same compound. The digits are identical for almost all common additives. Indian packets may show either form, or the common name (sunset yellow fcf).

Sources

Last verified: 2026-04-29.

Regulatory status, not medical advice
This page summarises FSSAI's permission status and JECFA's scientific evaluation. It is not medical or dietary advice. Manufacturer ingredient sourcing can vary, especially for source-dependent additives - the Indian veg/non-veg dot logo on the pack is the brand's declaration. For health decisions, consult a doctor or registered dietitian.

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