Decoding the Sweetness: What Chemicals are in Smarties?

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

While a roll of American Smarties contains only 25 calories, its chemical makeup is entirely different from the chocolate-based UK version. Understanding what chemicals are in Smarties requires distinguishing between these two popular candies and their distinct ingredient lists.

Quick Summary

The ingredients of American candy roll Smarties include dextrose, citric acid, and artificial colorants, while Nestlé's chocolate-coated UK Smarties use sugar, milk chocolate, and natural colorings, revealing a significant contrast in chemical composition and dietary impact.

Key Points

Distinct Smarties: American candy rolls contain dextrose, citric acid, and artificial colorants, while UK chocolate Smarties have milk chocolate, sugar, and natural colors.
Dextrose is Key: The primary chemical in American Smarties is dextrose, a simple sugar (glucose) with a high glycemic index that quickly raises blood sugar.
Artificial vs. Natural Colors: American versions use synthetic color lakes (like Red 40), whereas UK versions derive color from plant concentrates (spirulina, radish).
Additive Concerns: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) classifies American Smarties as ultra-processed due to their artificial ingredients and high sugar content.
Dietary Context: All versions of Smarties are considered treat foods with minimal nutritional value and high sugar content, regardless of the chemical specifics.
No Nutrients: Both candies are primarily sources of empty calories, offering energy from sugar but lacking essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and protein.
Allergen Differences: American Smarties are often free of common allergens, though made in facilities that process them, while UK Smarties contain milk, soy, and wheat.

The Two Faces of Smarties: American vs. UK

Before delving into the specific chemicals, it's crucial to understand that the candy known as 'Smarties' varies significantly by region. In North America (primarily the US and Canada), Smarties are small, crunchy, tablet-style candies that come in a roll. In the United Kingdom and much of Europe, Smarties are candy-coated milk chocolate lentils produced by Nestlé. Each version has a vastly different chemical composition and nutritional profile, which is essential knowledge for anyone considering how these treats fit into their diet.

The Ingredients of American Smarties Candy Rolls

North American Smarties are a simple confection with a relatively short ingredient list, composed primarily of sugars, acids, and artificial additives. The main chemicals are:

Dextrose: This is a simple sugar, chemically identical to glucose, typically derived from corn starch. It provides the candy's sweetness and quick energy source. Dextrose has a very high glycemic index, meaning it raises blood glucose levels rapidly.
Citric Acid: A common food additive used to provide a sour or tart flavor. It is a weak organic acid found naturally in citrus fruits but is commercially produced for use in processed foods.
Calcium Stearate: This is a processing aid and an anti-caking agent, which helps prevent the tablets from sticking together. It is a salt of calcium and stearic acid.
Natural and Artificial Flavors: These are chemical compounds used to give each color its specific fruity taste. Natural flavors are derived from natural sources, while artificial flavors are synthesized in a lab.
Color (e.g., Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Blue 2 Lake): These are synthetic colorants used to provide the candy's vibrant shades. The 'Lake' suffix indicates that the dye is insoluble in water and is mixed with a metallic salt to create a pigment.

The Composition of UK Nestlé Smarties Chocolate Sweets

By contrast, the UK version of Smarties contains a far more complex ingredient list due to its chocolate base and use of naturally derived colorings. The chemicals here include:

Sugar: The primary sweetener, providing the candy's sugary taste.
Milk Chocolate: The inner core of the candy, consisting of various components like sugar, skimmed milk powder, cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and lactose.
Skimmed Milk Powder: A form of milk that has had the water and milk fat removed, leaving behind the milk solids and proteins.
Cocoa Mass and Cocoa Butter: The core components of the chocolate, derived from the cocoa bean.
Emulsifier (Lecithins): A food additive, typically soy lecithin, used to keep the ingredients in the chocolate from separating.
Colours (Beetroot Red, Carotenes, Curcumin): These are natural colorants extracted from plants and other natural sources. For example, beetroot red comes from beetroots, carotenes from carrots, and curcumin from turmeric.
Glazing Agents (Carnauba Wax, Beeswax White): These are used to give the crisp sugar shell a shiny finish.

The Nutritional Context of Smarties

Both versions of Smarties, while chemically different, are primarily sugar-based treats with minimal nutritional value. They are not considered a substitute for a balanced diet rich in whole foods. Organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have flagged American Smarties as an ultra-processed food due to the presence of artificial additives and high sugar concentration. For individuals monitoring sugar intake, both candies should be consumed in moderation.

Nutritional Implications: A Comparative Table


Feature	American Smarties (Candy Rolls)	UK Smarties (Chocolate Sweets)
Primary Sweetener	Dextrose (simple sugar)	Sugar (sucrose) and Milk Chocolate
Main Composition	A blend of dextrose, citric acid, and stabilizers.	Milk chocolate coated in a crisp sugar shell.
Flavoring	Artificial and Natural Flavors.	Flavors derived from milk chocolate, with added flavorings.
Coloring	Artificial color lakes (Red 40, Yellow 5, etc.).	Natural colors from plant concentrates (spirulina, radish, beetroot).
Allergens	Free of most common allergens (check label for facility cross-contamination).	Contains milk, soy, and wheat allergens.
Processing Status	Ultra-processed (according to EWG).	Processed confectionary.

The Role of Additives in Processed Foods

The presence of artificial colors and flavors in American Smarties is a common practice in the food industry to enhance palatability and visual appeal. The use of artificial colors, particularly in the US, has been a topic of debate regarding potential health effects. In contrast, the natural colorants used in UK Smarties reflect a different approach to food manufacturing and consumer preference in that market. While both versions use additives, the sourcing—synthetic vs. natural—is a key chemical and nutritional differentiator.

Why Dextrose Matters

Dextrose, the primary chemical in American Smarties, is readily absorbed by the body, causing a rapid increase in blood sugar. This is why it is sometimes used by individuals with diabetes to quickly treat hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), though it is not a recommended long-term solution. This rapid sugar spike is the chemical basis for the 'sugar rush' associated with many candies, reinforcing the idea that these are occasional treats, not a dietary staple.

Conclusion: Chemicals and Dietary Choices

Understanding what chemicals are in Smarties reveals a stark contrast between the North American and UK versions, with implications for a nutrition diet. American Smarties are defined by dextrose and artificial colorants, while UK Smarties are distinguished by a milk chocolate base and naturally derived colors. In either case, both are ultra-processed or processed foods, high in sugar, and provide empty calories with little to no nutritional benefit. For a healthy nutrition diet, it is always best to consume these and other similar confections sparingly and prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods. Becoming an informed consumer starts with reading the ingredients and understanding what is truly in your food, beyond just the taste.

For further reading on food additives and nutrition, you can explore resources like the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

EWG's Food Scores: Provides information on various food products and their ingredients, often highlighting processing concerns.
Open Food Facts: A collaborative database of food products and their ingredients, accessible to the public.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary chemical in American Smarties candy rolls is dextrose, a simple sugar that is chemically identical to glucose and derived from corn starch.

North American Smarties candy rolls are typically gluten-free, but UK Nestlé Smarties, which contain milk chocolate, are not, as they list wheat flour in their ingredients.

Yes, American Smarties candy rolls contain artificial color lakes, including Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, and Blue 2 Lake.

American Smarties contain dextrose, a simple sugar that is quickly absorbed and rapidly raises blood glucose levels, making them an effective, short-term treatment for hypoglycemia.

American Smarties are tablet candies with a dextrose base and artificial colors, while UK Smarties are candy-coated milk chocolate lentils with sugar, cocoa, and natural colorings from plants.

No, Smarties are a processed candy, high in sugar, and provide minimal to no nutritional value, regardless of whether they are the American or UK version.

The key chemical differences are the type of sugar and coloring. American Smarties use dextrose and artificial colors, while UK Smarties use sucrose (sugar) and natural colorants derived from plant concentrates.