YenzoWhat is E104 (quinoline yellow)?
It is quinoline yellow, a synthetic greenish-yellow colour. It is added to food to give a yellow colour.
E104Quinoline yellow
E104 is quinoline yellow, a synthetic greenish-yellow colour. In food it gives a yellow colour to drinks, sweets and cakes.
Did you know? After EFSA's 2009 opinion the EU amended Annex II: the maximum levels of E 104 were either withdrawn or (14 remaining levels) lowered by a factor of 1.1 to 50 depending on the food category, from 1 June 2013.
- Code
- E104 · INS 104
- Group
- Colour
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalemoderate?Based on EFSA's scientific assessment, 2009
In the EU, a food with this colour must carry the label warning “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children” (Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex V); EFSA keeps its ADI.
How much a day stays within the ADI?EFSA 2009: 0.5 mg/kg bw/day
about 0.0 g a daythat is 32 mg
How E104 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, colour (104), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
colour (104)colour 104E104INS 104quinoline yellowOn Vietnamese labels: Quinolin yellow
Quinoline yellow in food
Questions about quinoline yellow
Is quinoline yellow harmful?
In 2009 EFSA set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.5 mg/kg body weight per day, lower than the earlier 10 mg/kg of JECFA and the SCF, based on a long-term study in rats.
Is E104 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Quinoline yellow (INS 104) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function colour.
Can children and pregnant women have quinoline yellow?
In the EU, foods containing E104 must show the name or E number of the colour on the label with a separate warning about children (quoted below), with some exceptions such as drinks with more than 1.2% alcohol by volume. In the EU, additives may not be used in foods for infants and young children unless Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 provides for it; Annex II has no entry for E104 in that food category. The Regulation has no separate provision for pregnant women. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex V (food colours requiring additional labelling information)
Other colours
E100Curcuminvery lowE101Riboflavinsvery lowE102TartrazinemoderateE103AlkanninhighE110Sunset yellow FCFmoderateE120Cochineal, carminic acid, carmineslow
See all colours →Updated 21 October 2026
Sources (4)
- Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of Quinoline Yellow (E 104) as a food additive
- Thông tư 24/2019/TT-BYT (văn bản hợp nhất 09/VBHN-BYT), Phụ lục 2A: nhóm thực phẩm được phép dùng INS 104
- EFSA Journal (2015). Refined exposure assessment for Quinoline Yellow (E 104)
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex V (food colours requiring additional labelling information)