PEZ ingredients: what's banned overseas?

About PEZ

PEZ is an iconic pressed sugar candy produced by PEZ Candy Inc. and sold in the US via its signature plastic character dispensers at grocery chains, toy stores, and convenience shops since 1948. PEZ candy and its collectible dispensers are among the most recognized candy novelties worldwide. PEZ has a US manufacturing plant in Orange, Connecticut.

Common concerns with PEZ products

PEZ candy tablets contain artificial colors including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Blue 2 depending on flavor. These petroleum-derived dyes require warning labels in the EU under the Southampton Six directive and are under increased FDA scrutiny as of 2025. The candy also contains artificial flavors with no real fruit content. The primary ingredient is sugar with dextrose.