Food Additives in
Candy & Confectionery
Confectionery products use some of the broadest range of food additives of any food category. Colours are used extensively — particularly synthetic azo dyes in the EU and USA — to create the vivid hues consumers associate with candy. Glazing agents like shellac (E904) and carnauba wax (E903) give chocolate buttons and hard candies their shine. Emulsifiers like lecithin (E322) and PGPR (E476) are essential in chocolate manufacturing to control viscosity. Sweeteners ranging from traditional sugars to intense sweeteners like aspartame (E951) and sucralose (E955) appear in sugar-free variants. Chewing gum base contains polyols, softeners, and stabilisers.
Factual Regulatory Reference
This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.
⚠ Regulatory Alerts for Candy & Confectionery
colour
26 additivescolour, acidity regulator, anticaking agent
1 additivessurface colorant
3 additivesacidity regulator
3 additivesantioxidant
5 additivesemulsifier
19 additivesacidity regulator
5 additivesstabiliser
4 additivesgelling agent
1 additivessweetener
17 additivesthickener
3 additivesanti-caking agent
5 additivesglazing agent
9 additivesantifoaming agent
1 additivesstabilizer
1 additivesFrequently Asked Questions
Why are candy colours regulated differently in EU vs USA?
The EU requires a warning label on foods containing any of six synthetic azo dyes (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129): "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." This follows a 2007 Southampton University study suggesting a link to hyperactivity. The FDA reviewed the same evidence and found it insufficient to require warning labels, though it concluded a link was plausible. This regulatory divergence means some European candy products carry warnings or use natural alternatives, while equivalent US products do not.
Is shellac (E904) on candy vegan?
No. Shellac is a resin produced by the female lac insect and is not vegan or acceptable for many vegetarian dietary frameworks. In the EU, shellac must be declared by its E number (E904) on confectionery labels. In the USA, it may appear as "confectioner's glaze," "pharmaceutical glaze," or "natural glaze." Many vegan candy manufacturers use carnauba wax (E903, from a palm) as a plant-derived alternative for surface glazing.
What makes chewing gum "sugar-free"?
Sugar-free chewing gum substitutes sucrose with polyol sweeteners (sugar alcohols) like xylitol (E967), sorbitol (E420), maltitol (E965), and isomalt (E953), plus intense sweeteners like aspartame (E951) or acesulfame K (E950) for added sweetness. Xylitol is of particular dental interest because it inhibits the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the primary bacteria responsible for dental caries — this effect has been recognised by the European Food Safety Authority in an approved health claim.