M&Ms

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, M&Ms Mini M&M’S fall at the bottom of our cleaner food options scale. This product is not organic, contains genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, and features a variety of added sugars and artificial colors.

The primary ingredient, milk chocolate, brings with it sugar and chocolate, but also includes skim milk, cocoa butter, lactose, milkfat, and soy lecithin, which serves as an emulsifier. The presence of natural flavor is noted, yet the term is broad and often covers a range of undisclosed additives. The product also contains sugar as a separate ingredient, further increasing its sugar content. Additionally, cornstarch and corn syrup are included, with corn syrup being a particularly concerning sweetener due to its highly processed nature and association with adverse health effects.

The coloring agents in M&Ms Mini M&M’S, such as Blue 1 Lake, Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, and Blue 2, are synthetic dyes. These have been linked to various health concerns and are a significant reason for the product’s low rating. Carnauba wax and gum acacia are also present; these are less concerning but are still additives.

Given the product’s ingredients, it receives the minimum green leaf rating. The combination of non-organic ingredients, GMOs, added sugars, and potentially harmful additives such as natural flavors and soy lecithin contribute to this score. More critically, the known harmful additives like Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Blue 2 significantly impact the product’s standing within our criteria for cleaner food options.

M&Ms Mini M&M’S, with its current ingredient profile, is not recommended for those seeking healthier, cleaner food choices. The extensive use of added sugars and artificial additives overshadow the product’s potential place in a balanced diet. Therefore, we advise consumers to consider alternative options that align better with their health-conscious goals.