How are M&Ms colored in Europe?

October 4, 2025 •

3 min read

Unlike their American counterparts, which use synthetic dyes, M&M's sold in the European Union rely on naturally-derived colorants. This difference is due to stricter EU regulations that have pushed manufacturers like Mars to find safer alternatives for coloring their candy, impacting how are M&Ms colored in Europe.

Quick Summary

M&M's in Europe use natural colorings from sources like plants and insects, a significant departure from the artificial dyes common in the US version. This reformulation is a response to stringent European food safety regulations regarding food additives.

Key Points

Natural Colorants: European M&M's primarily use natural colorings derived from sources like vegetables, plants, and insects, unlike the artificial dyes used in the US.
Regulation-Driven Change: Stricter European Union regulations and consumer pressure have forced manufacturers like Mars to reformulate their candy recipes for the EU market.
Titanium Dioxide Ban: The white coloring agent titanium dioxide (E171), used in the US version, was banned in the EU in 2022, leading to its removal from M&M's in Europe.
Hyperactivity Warnings: The EU requires warning labels for certain artificial dyes linked to hyperactivity, which prompted Mars to replace them with natural alternatives in European M&M's.
Different Coloring Palette: European M&M's get their colors from agents like carmine, beetroot red, curcumin, and beta-carotene, creating a different, often less intense, color profile than the US candy.

The Regulatory Landscape Driving the Change

The most significant factor differentiating European M&M's from those in the US is the regulatory environment. The European Union, through the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), takes a precautionary approach to food additives, requiring rigorous safety assessments. This has led to the restriction or banning of several synthetic colorants still permitted in the US.

Key EU Regulatory Impacts

One major change is the ban on titanium dioxide (E171), a white coloring agent, which came into full effect in 2022 after EFSA couldn't rule out genotoxicity concerns. This required reformulation to achieve the white coating without E171. Additionally, certain synthetic azo dyes require a warning label in the EU about potential adverse effects on children's activity and attention. While not banned, Mars removed these dyes (like Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40) from European M&M's to avoid the label, although they remain in the US version.

What Gives European M&M's Their Color?

To comply with EU regulations, Mars uses natural and nature-identical colorants in European M&M's. E numbers in the EU denote approved food additives, which can be naturally derived.

The Palette of Colorants Used:

Yellow/Orange: Curcumin (E100) from turmeric or beta-carotene (E160a, E160e) from plants are used instead of Yellow 5 and 6.
Red: Achieved with carmine (E120) from cochineal insects or beetroot red (E162).
Green: Made by combining permitted colorants, potentially including chlorophylls and some blue synthetic dyes.
Blue: Blue colorants like Brilliant Blue FCF (E133) are used, but often with stricter limits in Europe.

European vs. US M&M's: A Comparison of Coloring Ingredients


Color	European Coloring Agents	US Coloring Agents	Regulation Context
Yellow	Curcumin (E100), Beta-carotene (E160a, E160e)	Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)	EU uses natural alternatives to avoid hyperactivity warnings associated with US dyes.
Orange	Beta-carotene (E160a, E160e)	Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow), Red 40 (Allura Red)	EU avoids dyes that require hyperactivity warnings.
Red	Carmine (E120), Beetroot red (E162)	Red 40 (Allura Red)	EU uses naturally-sourced red dye; US uses synthetic.
Blue	Brilliant Blue FCF (E133)	Brilliant Blue FCF (E133), Blue 2 (Indigotine)	The blue synthetic dye E133 is still used in both regions but subject to different regulatory limits.
White	Calcium Carbonate (E170)	Previously Titanium Dioxide (E171) and Calcium Carbonate	E171 banned in EU, replaced by alternative white colorants.

Consumer Impact and Industry Response

The move towards natural colorants in Europe was influenced by consumer demand for 'clean-label' ingredients and concerns over potential links between artificial dyes and hyperactivity in children. Manufacturers like Mars often chose reformulation over adding warning labels. This demonstrates the feasibility of using natural sources for vibrant candies and sets a precedent for other global markets.

The Coloring Process: A Look at the Coating

The process of coloring European M&M's involves tumbling candy centers in pans while spraying a liquid mixture with natural colorants, stabilizers, and glazing agents to create the shell. The key difference from the US process is the composition of the colorant mixture, which adheres to EU standards while maintaining visual appeal. For more on EU food additive safety, refer to the European Food Safety Authority's website.

Conclusion: A Global Divide in Confectionery Coloring

The coloration of M&M's in Europe primarily uses natural extracts alongside a few permitted synthetic dyes, differing from the US's greater reliance on artificial colors. This divergence stems directly from stricter EU regulations, including the ban on titanium dioxide and mandated warnings for certain azo dyes. Consequently, European M&M's often have a less vibrant look and a 'cleaner' ingredient list. This highlights how consumer preference and regulatory compliance can successfully drive reformulation across international markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

While European M&M's use fewer artificial dyes and are free of titanium dioxide, they still contain sugar, fat, and other additives. The switch to natural colorants may appeal to consumers seeking 'cleaner' ingredients, but it does not fundamentally change the nutritional profile of the candy.

Some consumers report that European M&M's can taste slightly different from the American version, possibly due to the natural colorants and the use of different vegetable fats in the recipe. The different coloring ingredients themselves, however, have no significant impact on the chocolate's flavor.

The EU's stricter regulations are based on a precautionary principle regarding food safety, driven by scientific reassessments and consumer concerns over potential health impacts, such as links between certain artificial dyes and hyperactivity in children.

An 'E number' is a code for a substance used as a food additive in the European Union. The 'E' stands for 'Europe,' and the number indicates that the additive has been approved for use. Not all E numbers denote artificial chemicals; many, like curcumin (E100), refer to natural substances.

No, some synthetic dyes are still permitted and used, notably for blue and green colors, but under stricter regulations regarding maximum levels. However, many of the most controversial artificial dyes used in the US have been replaced with natural alternatives.

Yes, some specialty stores and online retailers that import European food products may sell European-formulated M&M's. These products can sometimes be found in international sections of larger supermarkets as well.

Titanium dioxide (E171) is a white, mineral-derived food coloring used as an opacifier. It was banned in the EU from 2022 because the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) could not rule out potential genotoxicity concerns related to its nanoparticles.

The decision was influenced by a combination of factors. Some changes, such as removing the dyes requiring hyperactivity warnings, were a voluntary step by Mars to avoid having warning labels. Other changes, like the removal of titanium dioxide, were a direct result of mandatory EU bans.

Yes, it is common for many confectionery and food products sold by international companies to have different formulations in Europe compared to the US due to varying regulations regarding additives and colorants. Skittles are another well-known example of this difference.