What is Carmine?
Carmine, also known as cochineal extract, is a vivid red food and cosmetic dye produced from the dried and crushed bodies of cochineal insects. These tiny scale insects, native to Latin America, live on cacti and are harvested to produce carminic acid, which gives carmine its brilliant color. For many years, this natural food coloring was a popular additive in a wide range of products due to its stability and resistance to heat and light. For those following a vegan or vegetarian diet, or anyone with a sensitivity to the dye, the presence of this insect-derived ingredient was a significant factor in their food choices.
The Great Skittles Ingredient Shift
Consumer demands for vegetarian-friendly products and increased awareness of food ingredients led to significant changes in Skittles' recipe over the past decade. The original Skittles recipe contained two animal-derived ingredients that have since been removed:
- Gelatin: This animal-derived protein, used for texture, was removed from chewy Skittles around 2009. This made the core product line suitable for vegetarians, but the red dye still remained a non-vegan issue. It is important to note that Skittles' newer gummy versions, unlike the original chewy candies, often do contain gelatin, making them non-vegan.
- Carmine: As noted, this red dye was removed from the product line around 2015, replacing it with artificial red food coloring. This change meant that not only were chewy Skittles free of gelatin, but they were also no longer colored with insect-based pigments.
Current Coloring Agents in Skittles
To create their vibrant colors without carmine, modern Skittles rely on a variety of synthetic dyes, most of which are derived from petroleum. For the red shade, Red 40 is now used instead of carmine. The full spectrum of colors found in Skittles today is created using the following ingredients:
- Red 40 Lake
- Red 40
- Yellow 5 Lake
- Yellow 5
- Yellow 6 Lake
- Yellow 6
- Blue 2 Lake
- Blue 1
- Blue 1 Lake
The Titanium Dioxide Controversy
Skittles also previously contained titanium dioxide, a white pigment used to brighten colors and give the candies their shiny appearance. The safety of titanium dioxide has been a subject of controversy and was banned as a food additive by the European Union in 2022 due to concerns about potential genotoxicity, or DNA damage. Following lawsuits and consumer pressure, Mars phased out titanium dioxide from its US Skittles portfolio by late 2024, continuing to remove it from global products.
A Comparison of Old vs. New Skittles Ingredients
| Ingredient | Pre-2015 Skittles (Non-Vegan) | Current Chewy Skittles (Vegan-Friendly*) |
|---|---|---|
| Red Dye | Carmine (Cochineal extract, E120) | Red 40 Lake, Red 40 |
| Texture Agent | Gelatin (Animal collagen) | Modified Corn Starch, Tapioca Dextrin |
| Wax Coating | Shellac (Insect secretion) | Carnauba Wax (Palm-derived) |
| White Pigment | Titanium Dioxide (E171) | Phased out by 2025 |
*Note: Strict vegans may still take issue with potential cross-contamination or the use of bone char in processing cane sugar.
Skittles Today: Vegan or Vegetarian?
For the average consumer, current chewy Skittles are now considered vegetarian-friendly and, in most cases, vegan. The removal of carmine and gelatin addresses the primary animal-derived ingredients that previously made them unsuitable. However, for a strict vegan diet, a few other considerations remain:
- Sugar Processing: While the sugar in Skittles is not explicitly certified vegan, it's a common practice for refined cane sugar to be processed using animal bone char. Unless the sugar source is specified as organic or beet-based, there is a possibility that animal products were involved in the refining process.
- Palm Oil: Some vegans avoid palm oil due to its links with deforestation and habitat destruction, which harm animal life. Skittles contain palm kernel oil, though the parent company Mars is working towards sourcing from suppliers with better sustainability practices.
- Parent Company Ethics: A very strict vegan may also consider the ethics of the parent company, Mars, which has used animal testing for other products in the past.
For more information on navigating ingredients for a vegan diet, you can explore resources like VeganFriendly.org.uk, which provides comprehensive guides on various food products.
Conclusion: Navigating Ingredients for a Conscious Diet
In conclusion, the direct answer to 'Do Skittles use carmine?' is no, not anymore. The company has made significant changes over the years to remove animal-derived ingredients like carmine and gelatin from its chewy candy lineup. However, the switch has led to the use of artificial, petroleum-based dyes, which some consumers may prefer to avoid for other health or ethical reasons. While current chewy Skittles are suitable for most vegetarians and vegans, a nuanced understanding of ingredients like sugar, palm oil, and artificial colors is necessary for those with stricter dietary standards. Always checking the most current ingredient label on any package is the best way to be certain about the product's contents.
