Where Is Sunset Yellow Commonly Found in Malaysia’s Food Products?
If you’ve ever walked through a Malaysian market or sat down for a local meal, you’ve probably noticed one thing: colour is everywhere. From bright orange drinks to vibrant cakes, colour plays a big role in what we eat and how we feel about it.
One colour that stands out a lot is Sunset Yellow. It’s a synthetic food colour used in everything from snacks and sweets to drinks and noodles. You’ll see it pop up in fizzy orange soda, mango cordials, jelly cups, and sometimes even cheese-flavoured snacks.
It’s not just about looks—it’s about making food more exciting, especially for kids.
In Malaysia, food isn’t just about taste. It’s about how it looks, how it makes you feel, and even what memories it brings back. Colours like yellow, red, and orange are seen as happy, festive, and full of life. And that’s exactly why colours like Sunset Yellow are used so often—they help create that feel-good moment when you open your favourite treat.
What is Sunset Yellow!
It’s a synthetic food dye that gives food and drinks that bright orange-yellow colour we all recognise. You’ve probably seen it in orange-flavoured sodas, sweets, ice lollies, jellies, and even instant noodles. It’s also known by its code name E110, and it’s widely used around the world—including right here in Malaysia.
Sunset Yellow food colour is popular because it’s stable, bold, and easy to blend. It works well in both liquid and powdered products, which is why manufacturers love it. It adds that strong, sunny colour without affecting the taste.
Now, is it natural? Not quite. It’s made in a lab (hence the term synthetic colour), but it’s been tested for safety and approved for use in many countries—including under certain conditions in Malaysia.
Whether it’s in cordials, flavoured snacks, or chewy sweets, Sunset Yellow is all about grabbing attention. It makes food look more appetising—especially to kids. Let’s be honest, no one gets excited about a dull-looking orange soda!
In short, Sunset Yellow food dye is one of those behind-the-scenes ingredients that helps turn everyday food into something a little more fun.
Which Foods Use Sunset Yellow in Malaysia?
If you check the labels on some of your favourite local snacks and drinks, you’ll notice something familiar: Sunset Yellow is everywhere. It’s one of the most commonly used food colours in Malaysia, especially in products aimed at children or those with fruity, spicy, or cheesy flavours.
Here are some everyday foods where you’re likely to spot Sunset Yellow food colour:
Soft Drinks & Cordials
Orange-flavoured sodas like Fanta or Mirinda often use Sunset Yellow, sometimes mixed with Tartrazine, to get that rich, glowing orange colour. You’ll also find it in fruit cordials, especially orange and mango variants sold in supermarkets or kedai runcit.
Sweets & Jelly Snacks
Walk into any local shop and check the sweets section. Sunset Yellow is a key ingredient in jelly cups, gummy candies, and even chewy toffees. It helps give them that bright orange or yellow look kids love.
Sauces & Marinades
It can even show up in sweet and sour sauces, salad dressings, and ready-made spice pastes—anywhere a bright yellow-orange tone adds appeal.
Instant Noodles
Some spicy or curry-flavoured instant noodles use Sunset Yellow in the seasoning powder to give the broth a stronger colour. It’s common in both local and imported brands.
Baked Goods & Ice Cream
You’ll find Sunset Yellow in certain types of cakes, cupcakes, frostings, and mango or orange-flavoured ice creams. It gives the dessert a vibrant finish that stands out in the shop display.Processed Cheese Snacks
Surprisingly, some cheese-flavoured biscuits or sauces also include this colour to enhance the golden-orange shade, especially in shelf-stable products
Tip:
✅ Always check the label before use.
On packaged foods, look for “Sunset Yellow FCF” or “E110” in the ingredients list. It’s often grouped under “permitted food colours” in Malaysia.
Sunset Yellow doesn’t change the taste—but it definitely changes how food looks and feels. That’s why it’s used so widely across Malaysia’s processed and packaged foods.
Facts About Sunset yellow
Sunset Yellow food colour might seem like just another ingredient on a label, but there’s actually a lot more to it. For starters, despite the name, it’s not exactly yellow—it creates a bright orange or golden tone that’s often used in orange sodas, mango cordials, and even spicy noodle seasonings. In Malaysia, this warm colour is associated with vibrancy, celebration, and bold flavours, which is exactly why it’s so popular in food products.
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Sunset Yellow FCF |
| E Number | E110 |
| US Name | FD&C Yellow No. 6 |
| Appearance | Bright orange or golden tone (not purely yellow) |
| Common Uses | Orange sodas, mango cordials, spicy noodle seasonings, cakes, ice creams, sweets |
| Cultural Perception (Malaysia) | Associated with vibrancy, celebration, and bold flavours |
| Stability | Heat and light stable – retains colour in high temperatures and sunlight |
| Blending Ability | Mixes well with other dyes like Tartrazine (E102) for custom colours |
| Global Usage | Used worldwide – India, Malaysia, EU, US, South Africa, etc. |
| Other Applications | Medications, cosmetics, inkjet inks |
| Regulation | Must stay within permitted limits and be clearly labelled in food products |
You’ll often find Sunset Yellow listed as E110 on packaging in Malaysia and other countries, including across the EU. In the US, it goes by another name—FD&C Yellow No. 6—but it’s essentially the same thing. This synthetic food dye is used globally, from India to South Africa, and everywhere in between.
What makes Sunset Yellow so handy for manufacturers is that it’s heat and light stable, meaning it won’t easily fade when exposed to high temperatures or sunlight. That’s a big win for shelf-stable snacks, instant drinks, and sweets sold in open-air markets. Plus, it mixes well with other food dyes like Tartrazine (E102) to create custom colours, giving brands more control over how their products look.
Interestingly, Sunset Yellow doesn’t just appear in food. You’ll also find it in some medications, cosmetics, and inkjet inks—which shows just how versatile this dye really is. But while it’s widely used, it’s still regulated. In Malaysia, food brands need to stay within safety limits and clearly label Sunset Yellow or E110 in the ingredients list.
So next time you unwrap a candy or pour an orange cordial, take a second to notice that vibrant colour—it’s more than just looks. Sunset Yellow FCF plays a small but important role in making your food feel fun, bright, and familiar.
Why Sunset Yellow (E110) Is in So Many Malaysian Sweets — And Why It’s Trusted by Food Makers
Have you ever noticed how some sweets in Malaysia just pop with colour? That bright orange glow in jelly cups, chewy candies, and lollipops? You can thank Sunset Yellow food colour for that.
This synthetic dye is a go-to for sweet makers because it delivers a bold, consistent orange that stands out—especially in products for kids. Whether it’s in fruit-flavoured gummies, ice lollies, or hard boiled sweets, Sunset Yellow adds that fun, eye-catching look that makes you reach for one more.
It’s not just about looks either. Colour plays a big role in how we experience flavour. Orange tells our brain “this is fruity” or “this is mango or orange-flavoured” even before we taste it. That’s why Sunset Yellow FCF is used so widely across sugar-based treats and jellies in Malaysia’s local shops and supermarkets.
Manufacturers love it because it’s easy to mix, works well in both liquid and gel forms, and stays bright even after packaging and transport. You’ll often see it listed as E110 on the label.
From colourful sweet jars at kedai runcit to factory-packed snacks on supermarket shelves, Sunset Yellow food dye is quietly doing its job—making treats more playful and more appealing.
Where Else Is Sunset Yellow Hiding? From Instant Noodles to Cosmetics, It’s More Common Than You Think
Most people expect to find Sunset Yellow food colour in orange drinks and sweets—but it doesn’t stop there. This bold, warm shade also shows up in some unexpected places across Malaysia’s food shelves and beyond.
One surprise? Instant noodles. Some spicy or curry-flavoured noodle seasonings use Sunset Yellow to give the broth that rich, reddish-orange look. It’s not obvious unless you check the label, but it’s there—working behind the scenes to make the soup look more appetising.
Another one is processed cheese products—especially those with a bright yellow-orange colour. Think cheese spreads, flavoured crackers, or nacho sauces. Sunset Yellow is often added to create that extra golden tint we associate with cheesy flavours.
Even some baked goods and cake frostings use this colour. If you’ve ever bought a mango cake or yellow sponge with an unusually vibrant hue, Sunset Yellow may be part of the recipe.
And it’s not just food. You might spot Sunset Yellow dye in cosmetics, pharmaceutical coatings, or even stationery inks. It’s used because it’s stable, blends well with other dyes, and holds its colour under different conditions—whether that’s heat, light, or moisture.
The next time you see something unusually bright and orange, take a second look. You might just find Sunset Yellow FCF (E110) listed in the ingredients.
Why Sunset Yellow (E110) Remains a Top Choice for Food Products in Malaysia
From sweets and sodas to noodles and sauces, Sunset Yellow food colour continues to stand out across Malaysia’s vibrant food landscape. It’s not just a bold shade—it’s a key ingredient trusted by manufacturers who want their products to look appealing and stay that way on the shelf. With strong colour stability, easy blending, and global recognition as E110, it ticks all the boxes for brands that care about consistency, quality, and compliance.
At Aurogenesis, we know how important it is to have a reliable food colour supplier—especially when you’re serving a competitive market. That’s why we focus on delivering high-purity Sunset Yellow FCF that meets international safety standards, every single time. Whether you need it for drinks, bakery, confectionery, or snacks, we’re here to help.
We don’t just sell colours—we support businesses with proper documentation, guidance, and product knowledge. If you’re a food manufacturer, distributor, or importer looking to build trust with your own customers, we’d love to partner with you.