I love these type of posts - thanks malpals!!! I loathe the look of blue Smarties. The colour sometimes comes from Spirulina, which's a marine plant, but the use of Blue No. 1, or brilliant blue FCF has coal tar as a component. This was banned throughout most of Europe, as coal tar in quantity is carcinogenic (when tested on rats in lab conditions). The EU allowed it's use again, however. I believe the Blue No. 2 is the one derived from seaweed, etc., and possibly the one used in Smarties, but I avoid them just in case!