Are Skittles Halal? The Truth About Red 40 & Shellac (E904)

You are at the cinema, the gas station, or the grocery store. You see that bright red package of Skittles and the slogan “Taste the Rainbow.”

But as a Muslim, you have probably heard the playground rumors: “Don’t eat those, they have pork fat in them!” or “The red ones are made from crushed beetles!”

When it comes to candy, Muslims have to be food detectives. Between hidden gelatin, insect-based dyes, and mysterious shiny coatings, a simple bag of sweets can quickly become a minefield of Haram ingredients.

So, what is the actual truth about Skittles today? Let’s debunk the myths, analyze the ingredients, and give you the final verdict.

The Verdict (TL;DR)

Are Skittles Halal? Yes. In most countries (including the US, UK, and Europe), standard Skittles are completely plant-based and suitable for Halal and Vegan diets.
Do they contain Pork Gelatin? No. They removed gelatin from their recipe years ago.
Do they contain Bugs (Carmine)? No. They use synthetic dyes.

However, the rumors exist for a reason. Here is exactly why people get confused about Red 40, Shellac, and Gelatin.

Myth 1: The Ghost of Pork Gelatin

If an older Muslim tells you that Skittles are Haram, they aren’t technically lying—they are just living in the past.

Before 2010, Skittles did contain gelatin to give them their chewy texture. Because commercial gelatin in the West is overwhelmingly derived from pork skin (unless Kosher or plant-based), Skittles were strictly Haram for Muslims.

The Modern Change: Thankfully, the manufacturer (Mars Wrigley) changed the recipe. They replaced the animal gelatin with modified corn starch. Today, if you look at a packet of Skittles, you will not find the word “gelatin” anywhere on the label.

Deep Dive: Want to know how to spot hidden pork in other candies? Read our USA Gelatin Guide.

Myth 2: The Red Candy Dilemma (Red 40 vs. Carmine)

The most persistent rumor about Skittles is that the red candies are colored using crushed insects.

This rumor stems from a very real, very problematic ingredient called Carmine (E120), which is indeed made by crushing female cochineal bugs. Carmine is heavily debated in Islamic Fiqh, with the majority of scholars (Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali) ruling it Haram, while the Maliki school permits it.

Do Skittles use Carmine? No. Skittles get their vibrant red color from Red 40 (in the US) or Allura Red AC / E129 (in Europe).

Red 40 is a synthetic dye derived from petroleum, not animals or insects. While there are debates about the health impacts of artificial food dyes, from a strict Islamic dietary perspective, Red 40 is 100% Halal because it contains no animal derivatives.

Myth 3: The “Shiny” Coating and Shellac (E904)

Pick up a Skittle and look at it. It is perfectly smooth and shiny. How do they do that?

In the candy industry, that hard, glossy shine is often achieved using Shellac (E904), also known as “Confectioner’s Glaze.”

What is Shellac? Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in India and Thailand.

The Fiqh of Shellac: Scholars debate its permissibility. Some argue it is an insect secretion (like honey from a bee) and undergoes transformation, making it Halal. Others argue it inevitably contains crushed bug parts from the scraping process and classify it as Mushbooh (doubtful) or Haram.

Do Skittles use Shellac? No. Skittles achieve their shiny coating using Carnauba Wax, which is entirely derived from the leaves of a Brazilian palm tree. It is 100% plant-based and Halal.

Stop Playing “Candy Roulette”

Skittles might be safe today, but the candy aisle is constantly changing. A brand might use plant-based dyes in the UK, but use insect-based Carmine (E120) in the Middle East or Asia.

You shouldn’t have to memorize the difference between Red 40, E120, Carnauba Wax, and Shellac just to buy a snack.

This is where Tayib steps in.

When you use the Tayib app to scan an ingredient list:

It instantly reads the text (no barcode needed).
It detects the difference between safe synthetic dyes (Red 40) and insect-based dyes (Carmine/E120).
It adapts to your specific Madhab (e.g., if you follow the Maliki school, it can adjust alerts for insect derivatives).

Tired of Googling Every E-Number?

Let AI do the heavy lifting. Tayib scans the ingredient list and detects hidden pork, alcohol, and bugs in seconds.

Download Tayib

Frequently Asked Questions: Are Skittles Halal?

Do Skittles have pork gelatin?

No. Skittles removed gelatin from their primary recipe years ago. They now use modified corn starch to achieve their chewy texture, making them free from pork or beef derivatives.

Is Red 40 Halal?

Yes. Red 40 (Allura Red AC) is a synthetic food dye made from petroleum. Because it contains no animal or insect derivatives, it is considered Halal for consumption, unlike Carmine (E120).

Do Skittles use Shellac (Confectioner's Glaze)?

No, standard Skittles do not use Shellac (E904) for their shiny coating. They use Carnauba Wax, which is extracted from palm tree leaves and is 100% plant-based and Halal.

Are Skittles Vegan?

Yes. In the United States, the UK, and most of Europe, the standard original Skittles are considered Vegan because they do not contain dairy, gelatin, or insect-derived dyes.

Are Skittles Gummies Halal?

You must be very careful with spin-off products. While standard hard-shell Skittles are Halal, 'Skittles Gummies' often contain gelatin. You must check the back of the gummy packaging or scan it with the Tayib app to verify if the gelatin is plant-based or animal-based.