Nerds ingredients: what's banned overseas?

About Nerds

Nerds are tiny crunchy candy pieces produced by Ferrara Candy Company (now part of Mars), sold in dual-compartment boxes and rope form at grocery chains, mass retailers, and convenience stores. Nerds were created by Willy Wonka Candy Company in 1983 and generate hundreds of millions in US annual sales. The brand expanded significantly with the launch of Nerds Rope and Nerds Gummy Clusters.

Common concerns with Nerds products

Nerds candy contains Red 40, Blue 1, and other artificial dyes across most variety combinations — the intense colors are entirely created by synthetic petroleum-derived dyes. Most Nerds flavors contain multiple FD&C certified colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Red 40 in various combinations) depending on the flavor box or rope color. These dyes require warning labels in the EU and UK.