Is It Kosher? Are M&Ms Kosher? It Depends on the Country
M&Ms sold in the United States are certified kosher dairy by the Orthodox Union, so the bag carries an OU-D. M&Ms made for the UK and much of Europe are a different story: they are not kosher certified, and the red coating often uses carmine (E120), an insect-derived dye. The country on the back of the bag matters more than the brand on the front.
Is It Kosher? Are Gummy Bears Kosher? What the Label Tells You
Gummy bears are kosher only when they carry a reliable hechsher, and most ordinary bags do not. The chew usually comes from gelatin, which is often sourced from non-kosher animals. Certified kosher gummy bears do exist, so the real skill is reading the package.
Ingredients & E-Codes Kosher E-Numbers List: Which Additives Are Kosher?
Kosher E-numbers depend on their source, not the code itself. Most additives on a label are plant based or synthetic and pose no problem, but a short list, including E120, E441, E471, E904 and E920, can be animal or insect derived and needs a certification to be sure.
Ingredients & E-Codes Is Carmine (E120) Kosher? The Insect Dye Question
Carmine, listed as E120, is not kosher. It is a red pigment made from the dried bodies of cochineal insects, and insects are not among the creatures kosher law permits. If a label lists carmine, cochineal, or carminic acid, treat the product as non-kosher unless a trusted hechsher says otherwise.
