Skittles ingredients: what's banned overseas?

About Skittles

Skittles are one of the most stark examples of US vs. EU ingredient differences. US Skittles historically contained titanium dioxide — a whitening agent banned as a food additive in the EU in August 2022 after EFSA could not rule out genotoxicity. US Skittles also contain Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1 synthetic dyes. UK Skittles use natural fruit and vegetable extracts: elderberry, radish, carrot, curcumin, and spirulina. Mars announced titanium dioxide removal from US Skittles in 2022 following a class action lawsuit.

Common concerns with Skittles products

{"ingredient_slug":"titanium-dioxide","ingredient_name":"Titanium Dioxide (E171)","found_in_product":"Skittles (US — historic)","concern":"EU banned as food additive August 2022. EFSA genotoxicity concerns. Mars announced removal from US Skittles in 2022 after class action lawsuit filed."}; {"ingredient_slug":"red-dye-40","ingredient_name":"Red 40","found_in_product":"Skittles Original (US)","concern":"EU/UK hyperactivity warning; part of FDA April 2025 voluntary phase-out."}; {"ingredient_slug":"yellow-dye-5","ingredient_name":"Yellow 5","found_in_product":"Skittles (US)","concern":"Hyperactivity warning in UK/EU. UK Skittles use natural colouring instead."}; {"ingredient_slug":"blue-dye-1","ingredient_name":"Blue 1","found_in_product":"Skittles (US)","concern":"EU requires warning label. Not in UK Skittles."}