Dum Dums Lollipops Maker Will Not Stop Using Artificial Dyes
Spangler, which makes Dum Dums, has been using artificial dyes for 50 years and deems them safe.
The U.S. government is pressuring food companies to replace synthetic dyes with natural colors. While many have openly accepted the new ingredient suggestions, the Spangler Candy Company is resisting the movement.
Spangler, which makes iconic candies like Dum Dums lollipops and Sweethearts, uses Yellow 5 and Red 40 in some of its products. The Ohio candy maker wants to keep its current formulations as long as possible, saying some natural colors alter the taste of the final product.
“That’s a nice red, but it tastes like beets,” said Spangler CEO Kirk Vashaw, referring to using beet juice as a red dye, per Bloomberg.
Vashaw also mentioned that the company temporarily switched to carmine to replace artificial red colorant. Carmine is derived from cochineal insects.
“People said, ‘I’d rather get cancer than eat the bug,” he explained.
Vashaw also called out Galdieria extract blue, which comes from algae, and flower petal-derived butterfly pea flower extract. The CEO of the Dum Dums maker fears many people may have allergies to these ingredients. While both are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the agency did note that allergic reactions are possible.
Spangler Will Continue To Use Artificial Dyes for Its Dum Dums
According to Vashaw, artificial colorants are safe, and the company is in no hurry to remove them. Until there are “actual regulations” banning artificial colors, the company will continue to use them, he added.
“It’s likely that when we get to the end of 2026 that we will still have products that will still have these artificial colors,” noted Vashaw. “One, there might not even be the supply for these natural colors, and two, we have to do what the consumers want, and it’s not clear to us that these consumers want these natural colors.”
Spangler has been using artificial dyes for half a century. Yet, it has tried using natural dye alternatives before. One dye-free product it does make, candy canes, doesn’t sell as well as its other products. Vashaw said many customers simply dislike the taste.
At one time, Spangler introduced a natural Dum Dums product. However, the candy was discontinued due to poor sales.
For now, Spangler is willing to experiment with different natural ingredients. However, until there is clarity and enforceable regulations, it is not making any significant ingredient substitutions when making Dum Dums, Sweethearts, and Necco Wafers.
Meanwhile, other food companies are making strides to replace artificial colorants. Spice maker McCormick is working to reformulate some products to remove potentially banned ingredients.
