Forget M&M’s: 7 Other Banned Candies

Have you heard about M&M’s?

The FDA, under the direction of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has zeroed in on a colorful culprit in America’s food supply: artificial petroleum-based dyes.

These additives have long been used to make cereals brighter, sodas bolder, and candies (like M&M’s) more eye-catching—but their days may be numbered.

The agency is pushing food and beverage makers to phase out a list of synthetic dyes by the end of 2026, with plenty of natural alternatives ready to take their place.

Here are the dyes now on the chopping block:

• Red 40
• Citrus Red 2
• Orange B
• Yellow 5
• Yellow 6
• Green 3
• Blue 1
• Blue 2

Because of its many colors, M&M’s (both the plain and peanut varieties) contains a whopping five of the dyes above!

Here are 7 candies besides M&M’s…let’s see if any can match that count…

Starburst

Short of M&M’s five dyes, Starburst relies on Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1 for its four flavors: Lemon, Orange, Cherry, and Strawberry. I’m confused on where the Blue 1 factors in…maybe the pink of the strawberry?

Hot Tamales

I would have guessed just Red 40 for these “fierce cinnamon” candies, but they also have Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1. So all the same ones as Starburst.

PEZ

The dyes for PEZ depends on the type. The Assorted Fruit variety relies on Red 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 2. The Sour Candy version has Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40, and Green 3.

Note that we didn’t list Red 3 above because it was already officially banned as of January 15, 2025. Food manufacturers have until January 15, 2027 to change their formulations.

Skittles

Skittles has forms of five artificial dyes: Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Yellow 6, Blue 1. It includes both the regular (water-soluble) and “Lake” (water-insoluble) version of many of these.

Haribo Goldbears

The gold standard of gummi bears contains Yellow 5, Red 40, and Blue 1 for its five signature flavors.

Candy Corn (Brach’s)

These Halloween favorites have Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Red 3 helping with their coloring. You may have guessed that honey is also an ingredient.

Twizzlers

Can you guess this one? Of course, it’s Red 40 that gives Twizzlers its distinctive red hue.

There you go. It’s not just M&M’s that’s likely to change its formulation over the coming years. Expect some or all of the candies above to figure out more natural ways to get their coloring.

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