A simple and efficient analytical method for the simultaneous determination of seven tar color additives was developed using ion pair high performance liquid chromatography. The conditions for HPLC analysis were as follows: column, ${mu}$-Bondapak C18 (10 ${mu}m$, 300 ${ imes}$ 3.9 mm i.d.); gradient mobile phase, 0.025 mol/L ammonium acetate (containing 0.01 mol/L tetrabutylammonium bromide)-acetonitrile-methanol (65:25:10) as a mobile for fraction A and 0.025 mol/L ammonium acetate (containing 0.01 mol/L tetrabutylammonium bromide)-acetonitrilemethanol (40:50:10) as a mobile for fraction B; flow rate, 1.0 mL/ min; detection wavelength, 254/520/620 nm. We could attain to the detection limits as 0.01~0.05 ${mu}$g/mL (254 nm) and 0.005~0.01 ${mu}$g/mL (520 nm) for six red tar color additives, and 0.05 ${mu}$g/mL (254 nm) and 0.002 ${mu}$g/mL (620 nm) for Fast green FCF. This analytical method was applicable to determine the tar color additives contained in several commercial cold syrups.