Is Chocolate M & M's Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Mars
Mars's Chocolate M & M's is reviewed here as a dessert. Zerotox gives it 55/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Palm Fat, Glucose Syrup, E120.
55 / 100
Why score is 55
The composition includes several synthetic additives such as artificial colors (E120, E100, E133) and emulsifiers (soya lecithin), raising quality and safety concerns. The presence of palm oil and glucose syrup further indicates a highly processed product.
Main concern
Contains multiple artificial colors (E120, E100, E133), which raise concerns about synthetic additives.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains cocoa mass, which provides a chocolate flavor and is a natural ingredient.
- Includes skimmed milk powder, contributing to a creamy texture and flavor.
Concerns
- Contains multiple artificial colors (E120, E100, E133), which raise concerns about synthetic additives.
- Presence of palm oil and glucose syrup indicates high processing and potential quality issues.
Who should avoid this product?
This formula may not suit:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this dessert, not just listed as a raw label.
-
Is Sugar safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is used to provide sweetness in this confectionery. However, its high presence raises concerns about excessive sugar consumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Cocoa Mass safe in this dessert?
Good
Cocoa Mass is used here as base. Cocoa mass is a natural ingredient that contributes to the chocolate flavor and is minimally processed, indicating better quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: cocoa mass
-
Is Skimmed Milk Powder safe in this dessert?
Good
Skimmed Milk Powder is used here as base. Skimmed milk powder adds creaminess and flavor, being a dairy-derived ingredient that is generally safe.
Role in formula: base
Original: skimmed milk powder
-
Is Cocoa Butter safe in this dessert?
Good
Cocoa Butter is used here as base. Cocoa butter is a natural fat derived from cocoa beans, contributing to the texture and mouthfeel of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: cocoa butter
-
Is Starch safe in this dessert?
Medium
Starch is used here as thickener. Starch is used as a thickening agent, which is processed but generally considered safe in food applications.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: starch
-
Is Whey Permeate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Whey Permeate is used here as base. Whey permeate is a dairy byproduct that adds flavor and texture but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: whey permeate (milk)
-
Is Milk Fat safe in this dessert?
Good
Milk Fat is used here as base. Milk fat contributes to the creaminess and flavor profile, being a natural dairy ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: milk fat
-
Is Palm Fat safe in this dessert?
Bad
Palm Fat is used here as base. Palm fat is a processed fat that raises concerns due to environmental issues associated with palm oil production.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm fat
-
Is Glucose Syrup safe in this dessert?
Bad
Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a highly processed sweetener that can contribute to excessive sugar intake and raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: glucose syrup
-
Is Shea Fat safe in this dessert?
Medium
Shea Fat is used here as base. Shea fat is a natural fat that adds creaminess but is less common in confectionery, raising some quality questions.
Role in formula: base
Original: shea fat
-
Is Gum Arabic safe in this dessert?
Medium
Gum Arabic is used here as stabilizer. Gum arabic is a natural gum used as a stabilizer, generally considered safe but processed.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: stabiliser (gum arabic)
-
Is Dextrin safe in this dessert?
Medium
Dextrin is used here as thickener. Dextrin is a processed carbohydrate used for thickening, which raises some concerns about its processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: dextrin
-
Is Soya Lecithin safe in this dessert?
Medium
Soya Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Soya lecithin is an emulsifier that helps blend ingredients but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety implications.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: emulsifier (soya lecithin)
-
Is Carnauba Wax safe in this dessert?
Medium
Carnauba Wax is used here as glazing agent. Carnauba wax is a natural glazing agent used for appearance but is processed, raising some quality concerns.
Role in formula: glazing agent
Original: glazing agent (carnauba wax)
-
Is E120 safe in this dessert?
Bad
E120 is used here as colorant. E120 is a synthetic colorant derived from cochineal, raising concerns about artificial additives in food.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colours (e120)
-
Is E100 safe in this dessert?
Bad
E100 is used here as colorant. E100 is a natural colorant (curcumin) but can still raise concerns about color additives in processed foods.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colours (e100)
-
Is E133 safe in this dessert?
Bad
E133 is used here as colorant. E133 is a synthetic colorant (brilliant blue) that raises quality concerns due to its artificial nature.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colours (e133)
-
Is E170 safe in this dessert?
Bad
E170 is used here as colorant. E170 is a synthetic colorant (calcium carbonate) used for coloring, raising concerns about artificial additives.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colours (e170)
-
Is E160a safe in this dessert?
Bad
E160a is used here as colorant. E160a is a natural colorant (carotene) but still raises concerns about the use of color additives in processed foods.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colours (e160a)
-
Is E160e safe in this dessert?
Bad
E160e is used here as colorant. E160e is a synthetic colorant (beta-carotene) that raises quality concerns due to its artificial nature.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colours (e160e)
-
Is Salt safe in this dessert?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt is used for flavor enhancement and is a natural ingredient, contributing positively to the overall flavor profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: salt
-
Is Palm Kernel Oil safe in this dessert?
Bad
Palm Kernel Oil is used here as base. Palm kernel oil is a processed fat that raises concerns due to environmental issues associated with palm oil production.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm kernel oil
-
Is Flavouring safe in this dessert?
Medium
Flavouring is used here as flavor. Flavouring is a broad term that can include both natural and artificial components, raising quality concerns about its source.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: flavouring
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 3925431
More from this brand: Mars products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: peanuts , almonds , hazelnuts
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.