What are the dyes used in M&Ms?: A Global Perspective on Food Coloring and Your Nutrition Diet

October 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), many artificial food dyes common in American foods like M&M's have been linked to health concerns and are banned or require warnings in other countries. Understanding what are the dyes used in M&Ms? provides a stark example of how different regulations affect our nutrition diet globally.

Quick Summary

The specific food dyes found in M&M's vary significantly by country due to differing government regulations, with U.S. products using synthetic, petroleum-based colors while European versions primarily utilize natural alternatives. The discrepancy highlights varying perspectives on food safety and allows consumers to compare ingredients and make informed choices.

Key Points

Global Variations: The specific food dyes used in M&M's differ significantly depending on the country due to different regulations, with the U.S. favoring synthetic dyes while Europe uses mostly natural alternatives.
U.S. Dyes: American M&M's contain artificial, petroleum-based color additives such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1, listed by their FD&C name on the ingredient label.
European Dyes: European versions of M&M's use a variety of natural colorings identified by E-numbers, such as E100 (turmeric) and E120 (carmine), along with stricter regulations on certain synthetics.
Health Concerns: Artificial dyes have been linked to potential health issues, most notably hyperactivity in some children, leading to warning label requirements in Europe.
Informed Choices: Consumers can manage their food dye intake by reading ingredient labels, focusing on whole foods, and exploring natural food-coloring alternatives.
Regulatory Shifts: Mounting evidence and consumer pressure are driving regulatory changes in some countries, with the FDA planning to phase out remaining synthetic food color additives in the U.S. by 2026.

The World of Food Dyes: Artificial vs. Natural

Food colorings are used by manufacturers to make products more visually appealing, mask inconsistencies, and evoke certain flavors. There are two primary types: artificial and natural. Artificial, or synthetic, food dyes are manufactured from chemicals, often petroleum-based, and are known for their vibrant, consistent coloring and long shelf life. Natural food colorings, on the other hand, are derived from sources like plants, fruits, vegetables, and minerals, resulting in less intense colors and sometimes affecting flavor. The choice between these two types has become a major point of discussion in the world of nutrition and consumer health.

What are the dyes used in M&Ms?: A Global Perspective

The ingredient list for M&M's is not universal. The specific colors and their sourcing differ dramatically depending on the country where the candies are sold, primarily due to contrasting regulatory standards in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Canada.

Dyes in the United States

In the U.S., M&M's rely on a cocktail of FDA-approved artificial food dyes. These are labeled with the prefix "FD&C," indicating their use in food, drugs, and cosmetics.

U.S. Dyes List:
- Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue)
- Blue 2 Lake (Indigo Carmine)
- Red 40 (Allura Red)
- Red 40 Lake
- Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
- Yellow 5 Lake
- Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)
- Yellow 6 Lake

Dyes in Europe and Other Countries

In Europe and countries like Australia, M&M's formulations are different to comply with more stringent regulations. Instead of a list of FD&C dyes, you'll find a series of E-numbers, many of which represent natural colorants.

Common European E-numbers for M&M's colors:
- E100 (Curcumin)
- E120 (Cochineal/Carmine)
- E133 (Brilliant Blue)
- E150 (Caramel)
- E160a (Carotenes)
- E162 (Beetroot Red)
- E170 (Calcium Carbonate)

Health Considerations in the Nutrition Diet Debate

The disparity in M&M's ingredients across continents raises important questions about nutrition and health. Multiple studies suggest a link between certain synthetic dyes, such as Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow), and Red 40 (Allura Red), and increased hyperactivity in children. The European Union mandates warning labels on products containing these dyes, which has prompted many manufacturers to use natural alternatives to avoid the label. Some artificial dyes have also been linked to potential allergic reactions and contain trace amounts of known carcinogens. The FDA has announced plans to phase out remaining artificial color additives by the end of 2026, indicating increasing scrutiny in the U.S..

Navigating Food Dyes: Making Informed Dietary Choices

Becoming more aware of what you consume is a key component of a mindful nutrition diet. For those looking to reduce their intake of artificial food dyes, several steps can be taken, including checking ingredient labels, prioritizing whole foods, and exploring natural alternatives for coloring.


Feature	U.S. M&M's	European M&M's	Australian M&M's
Regulation	FDA-approved FD&C certified dyes.	EU-approved E-numbers, including natural and synthetic colorants.	Australia/NZ Food Standards Code, using similar E-numbers.
Primary Colors	Synthetic (petroleum-based): Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2.	Mostly natural sources: E100 (turmeric), E120 (carmine), E160a (carotene), E162 (beetroot).	Mix of natural (E171-Titanium Dioxide, E170-Calcium Carbonate) and synthetic (E129-Red 40, E133-Blue 1).
Labeling	Lists color additives by name.	Must use E-numbers. Some synthetic dyes require a warning about hyperactivity in children.	Lists color additives by E-number.

Conclusion

The contrast between the dyes used in M&M's across different regions offers a powerful illustration of the global food industry's varying standards. While synthetic dyes may offer a brighter, more stable coloring solution, the move towards natural alternatives in many parts of the world reflects growing health concerns and shifting consumer preferences. For anyone mindful of their nutrition diet, this example underscores the importance of reading labels and considering the ingredients in all processed foods. The movement towards "clean-label" ingredients, driven by both regulation and consumer demand, suggests a future where food coloring is derived from more natural and less controversial sources worldwide.

For more information on food additives, consider exploring the {Link: Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) website https://www.cspi.org/}.

Frequently Asked Questions

M&M's use different dyes primarily because of different government regulations regarding food additives. The European Union has stricter rules and requires warning labels for certain synthetic dyes, prompting manufacturers like Mars to use natural alternatives in their European products.

U.S. M&M's contain a mix of FD&C-certified artificial dyes, including Blue 1, Blue 2 Lake, Red 40, Yellow 5 (Tartrazine), and Yellow 6, along with their water-insoluble 'lake' counterparts.

European M&M's often use a blend of natural and sometimes synthetic colorings listed by E-numbers such as E100 (curcumin), E120 (carmine), E133 (Brilliant Blue), E160a (carotenes), and E162 (beetroot red).

Regulatory bodies like the U.S. FDA state that approved food dyes are safe at current consumption levels, but some independent studies and consumer advocacy groups have linked them to health concerns like hyperactivity in sensitive children. The European Union requires warnings for some of these dyes.

You can identify artificial food dyes by reading the ingredient list on the product's packaging. In the U.S., they are listed by name (e.g., Red 40) or as "artificial colors," while in Europe and Australia, they are labeled with E-numbers.

Research has indicated a link between the consumption of certain artificial food dyes (including Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40) and increased hyperactivity in some children, particularly those with ADHD. These findings prompted the EU to require specific warning labels on affected products.

Natural alternatives to artificial dyes include colorings derived from beetroot (red), turmeric (yellow), spirulina (blue/green), paprika (orange), and grape skin extract (red/purple).

Yes. M&M's temporarily removed their red candies in 1976 due to consumer fear surrounding a now-banned dye (Red No. 2), even though Red 2 was never used in M&Ms. The red candies were reintroduced in 1987 using a mix of safer dyes.