Digestoa
Additive · Colour

Quinoline Yellow (E104)

Quinoline Yellow (E104) is a colour that Digestoa flags as high risk. Common concerns include hyperactivity in children.

Digestoa riskHigh risk
TypeColour (azo)
Found inbrightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts
ConcernsHyperactivity in children · Allergic reactions

What is Quinoline Yellow?

Quinoline Yellow (E104) is a colour — added to give food a specific colour.

Is Quinoline Yellow bad for you?

Digestoa flags Quinoline Yellow as high risk. Regulators permit it, but safety reviews and studies have raised concerns including hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions. How often you eat it matters more than a single exposure.

What foods contain Quinoline Yellow?

Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.

Digestoa's take

You don't need to panic over a single product that contains Quinoline Yellow. But it's a useful flag: when you see E104 on a label it often signals a more processed product, and there's usually a cleaner alternative.

Safer swaps

Choose products coloured with natural extracts like beetroot (E162), paprika (E160c) or turmeric (E100).

Frequently asked questions

Is E104 the same as Quinoline Yellow?
Yes — E104 is the international additive (E-number) code for Quinoline Yellow.
Is Quinoline Yellow bad for you?
Digestoa flags Quinoline Yellow (E104) as high risk. It's permitted in food, but it's associated with concerns such as hyperactivity in children.
What are the side effects of Quinoline Yellow?
Reported concerns include: Hyperactivity in children; Allergic reactions.
What foods contain Quinoline Yellow?
Brightly coloured sweets, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, snacks and desserts.
How can I avoid Quinoline Yellow?
Check the ingredients list for "Quinoline Yellow" or "E104", or scan the product with Digestoa to see if it's present before you buy.

Related colour additives

Titanium dioxide (E171)Tartrazine (E102)Sunset Yellow FCF (E110)Azorubine / Carmoisine (E122)Ponceau 4R (E124)Allura Red AC (E129)

Risk ratings reflect Digestoa's editorial assessment synthesising EFSA/IARC opinions and peer-reviewed research. Informational only — not medical advice.