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Skittles Original

Common questions

Is Skittles Original healthy?

Skittles Original scores 10/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the lower scores in Scout's catalog. Skittles Original scores 10/100.

Does Skittles Original contain seed oils?

Yes — Scout's ingredient analysis flags seed oils in Skittles Original, and that is reflected in its score.

Has Skittles Original been lab-tested?

Yes. Skittles Original carries an independent laboratory panel from Independent third-party laboratory testing covering 1 contaminant (including Arsenic) — the full results are on this page.

How processed is Skittles Original?

Skittles Original is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

How does Skittles Original compare to other candy?

Skittles Original ranks #48 of 56 candy in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is SOLELY Organic Mango & Guava Fruit Gummies at 88/100.

Which ingredients drive Skittles Original's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Skittles Original

Skittles
Contains seed oils Lab tested
10 Poor

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 0
Harmful ingredients 15
Owned by Mars, Inc.
Category Candy
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.

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

Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
Very 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 →
Yellow 5 Lake
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived aluminum lake dye.

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Red 40 Lake
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived aluminum lake dye.

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Yellow 6 Lake
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived aluminum lake dye.

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Blue 2 Lake
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived aluminum lake dye.

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Yellow 5
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.

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Red 40
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.

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Yellow 6
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.

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Blue 1 Lake
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived aluminum lake dye.

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Blue 1
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.

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Sugar
Bad

First ingredient — pure refined sucrose.

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Corn Syrup
Bad

Second sweetener.

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Tapioca Dextrin
Bad

Modified starch.

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Modified Corn Starch
Bad

Refined modified starch.

See more about Modified Corn Starch →
Natural Flavors
Bad

Umbrella term that can hide dozens of undisclosed synthetic flavor constituents.

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Citric Acid
Neutral

pH stabilizer.

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Sodium Citrate
Neutral

pH buffer.

See more about Sodium Citrate →
Carnauba Wax
Neutral

Plant-based coating.

See more about Carnauba Wax →

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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Amazon pricing & content

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