Tartrazine food colouring molecule. Molecular model of Tartrazine, an organic compound used as a food colouring. Tartrazine, also known as E102, is a yellow dye derived from coal tar. It is very commonly used in the UK and North America, but is banned in Norway. There are concerns over tartrazine being linked to allergic reactions, hyperactivity and temper tantrums in children. Research has shown that behaviour problems increase with higher additive levels in food, so parents have been advised not to give children foods containing these additives. Atoms are colour-coded: hydrogen (pale blue), carbon (gold), nitrogen (dark blue), sulphur (yellow) and oxygen (red).