Do M&M's have artificial dyes?

December 24, 2025 •

2 min read

In recent years, consumer demand for more natural ingredients has pressured companies to change their formulations. The question, 'Do M&M's have artificial dyes?', highlights the discrepancy in recipes between different regions, with US versions historically relying on synthetic colors while European ones often use natural alternatives.

Quick Summary

The inclusion of artificial dyes in M&M's varies depending on the country. US products contain synthetic colors like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1, while European versions use natural colorants. This difference is due to varying regional regulations and consumer preferences, though Mars is beginning to offer naturally-colored options in the US.

Key Points

Regional Differences: M&M's formulations vary by country, with the US version historically containing artificial dyes while the European version uses natural colors.
US Dyes: M&M's in the US include synthetic food colorings such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1, which are listed on the ingredient label.
European Dyes: M&M's in Europe use natural alternatives like carmine, beetroot concentrate, and curcumin to achieve their colors.
Upcoming US Changes: Starting in 2026, Mars will offer naturally-colored options for M&M's in the US market, but will continue to sell the standard versions with artificial dyes.
Health Concerns: Consumer advocacy groups have raised concerns about the potential link between some artificial dyes and hyperactivity in children, which is why reformulations were made in Europe.
Reading Labels: Shoppers concerned about artificial dyes must read the ingredient lists, as the specific colors used are required to be disclosed on product packaging.
Company Commitment: Mars has stated that the safety of its ingredients is a priority but notes that the transition to natural colors across its entire portfolio is complex and takes time.

Regional Differences in M&M's Formulations

The composition of M&M's is not uniform across the globe. Mars, the candy's manufacturer, tailors recipes to regional regulations and consumer demands. This results in differences in coloring agents used in the United States and Europe.

The Use of Artificial Dyes in US M&M's

Standard M&M's in the United States contain artificial food colorings like Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Blue 2, including their 'lake' versions. These synthetic dyes provide the candies' bright colors and are listed on packaging. The FDA has historically considered these dyes safe, but consumer groups have raised concerns about potential health effects.

European M&M's and the Shift to Natural Colors

In Europe, M&M's have largely moved away from artificial colorings. This shift was driven by consumer preferences and EU regulations that required warning labels for certain synthetic dyes linked to hyperactivity. European M&M's use natural colorants from sources like carmine, beetroot concentrate, and curcumin.

Mars's Response to Changing Consumer Demands

Mars has responded to the demand for natural ingredients. While a 2016 pledge to remove all artificial colors globally was later modified for the US market, Mars announced in August 2025 that naturally-colored versions of M&M's will be available in the US starting in 2026. This strategy offers alternatives while keeping the standard artificially-colored products available.

The Health and Safety Debate Surrounding Artificial Dyes

The debate on artificial food dyes involves varying stances from regulators and consumer groups. The FDA supports the safety of approved dyes in the US, while advocates cite research and policies in other countries to push for change.


Feature	United States	Europe
Use of Artificial Dyes	Widely used in standard M&M's, including Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1.	Largely phased out in standard M&M's due to consumer demand and regulations.
Regulatory Stance	FDA maintains that approved dyes are safe for consumption.	EU required warning labels on some dyes, leading to industry-wide reformulation.
Consumer Options	Traditional artificially-colored versions are standard, with naturally-colored options becoming available in 2026.	Products are widely available with natural colorants, sometimes containing carmine (from cochineal insects).
Key Concern	Linking of certain dyes to hyperactivity in sensitive children.	Focus on clean-label ingredients and avoiding synthetic additives.

Conclusion: Navigating Ingredients in the Candy Aisle

Whether M&M's have artificial dyes depends on where they are purchased. US versions traditionally use synthetic colors, but Mars is introducing naturally-colored options. European M&M's primarily use natural ingredients. Consumers should check package labels for specific ingredients, as Mars and other companies respond to the demand for products with fewer additives. Reading labels is key for those wanting to avoid artificial dyes and find the new naturally-colored M&M's.

For additional information on food dyes, the Center for Science in the Public Interest is a useful resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all M&M's are free of artificial dyes. The use of artificial versus natural coloring depends on the country of sale. In the US, traditional M&M's contain artificial dyes, while products sold in Europe primarily use natural colorants.

M&M's sold in the US contain a range of FD&C colors, including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Blue 2, as well as various 'lake' versions of these dyes.

The difference is primarily due to varying regional regulations and consumer preferences. European regulations and consumer pressure led Mars to reformulate products with natural dyes, while US products maintained the original synthetic colors.

No, Mars is not removing all artificial dyes from its entire portfolio. While it will offer naturally-colored options in the US starting in 2026, it plans to continue selling the standard artificially-colored versions as well.

Concerns have been raised by some consumer groups and studies regarding a potential link between certain synthetic dyes and behavioral issues in children, such as hyperactivity.

Not necessarily. One of the natural red colorants sometimes used, carmine (E120), is derived from cochineal insects. Consumers should check the specific ingredient list for their location to confirm if this dye is present.

The best way is to read the ingredient label on the product packaging. Ingredients lists are required to specify which coloring agents are used, either by name (e.g., 'Red 40') or by their E-number (e.g., 'E129').