Skittles Original
Summary
Skittles Original scores 10/100. Third-party 2025 testing detected 370 ppb arsenic. Contains hydrogenated palm kernel oil (a trans-fat precursor) and every major petroleum-derived synthetic dye plus their aluminum lake variants (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1, Blue 2 and lakes). Subject of a 2022 class-action lawsuit alleging unsafe titanium dioxide levels (since reformulated). Owned by Mars, Inc.
At a glance
Contaminants 1
Source: Independent third-party laboratory testing
Arsenic 370 ppb High
Detected at a high level — at or above health-based exposure limits. Regular exposure at this level is a genuine health concern. No safe level of arsenic exposure exists; chronic exposure is linked to increased cancer risk (lung, skin, kidney, bladder), cardiovascular disease, and neurodevelopmental harm in children.
Independent third-party testing detected arsenic at 370 parts per billion — a significant contamination level.
Key ingredients 18
SugarVery Bad
First ingredient — pure refined sucrose.
See more about Sugar →Corn SyrupVery Bad
Second sweetener.
See more about Corn Syrup →Hydrogenated Palm Kernel OilVery Bad
Trans-fat precursor. Hydrogenation creates partial trans fats not required on label at <0.5g/serving. Palm kernel adds severe saturated fat plus industrial processing.
See more about Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil →Citric AcidNeutral
pH stabilizer.
See more about Citric Acid →Tapioca DextrinBad
Modified starch.
See more about Tapioca Dextrin →Modified Corn StarchBad
Refined modified starch.
See more about Modified Corn Starch →Natural FlavorsNeutral
Proprietary flavors.
See more about Natural Flavors →Yellow 5 LakeVery Bad
Petroleum-derived aluminum lake dye.
See more about Yellow 5 Lake →Red 40 LakeVery Bad
Petroleum-derived aluminum lake dye.
See more about Red 40 Lake →Yellow 6 LakeVery Bad
Petroleum-derived aluminum lake dye.
See more about Yellow 6 Lake →Blue 2 LakeVery Bad
Petroleum-derived aluminum lake dye.
See more about Blue 2 Lake →Yellow 5Very Bad
Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.
See more about Yellow 5 →Red 40Very Bad
Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.
See more about Red 40 →Yellow 6Very Bad
Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.
See more about Yellow 6 →Blue 1 LakeVery Bad
Petroleum-derived aluminum lake dye.
See more about Blue 1 Lake →Blue 1Very Bad
Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.
See more about Blue 1 →Sodium CitrateNeutral
pH buffer.
See more about Sodium Citrate →Carnauba WaxNeutral
Plant-based coating.
See more about Carnauba Wax →Processing
Ultra-Processed Foods
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