Re: What are the components in the hard shell of an M&M candy?

I believe that if you check out a bag of M&M's, you'll find "dextrin" listed in the ingredients. Dextrin is a starch, and is used in a lot of candies that have some kind of hard shell; it's completely safe to eat, and the last time I checked it was a plant derivative, like most starches.

How do these rumors get started, anyway? Well, it might be because there IS something that makes shiny coatings that is derived from beetles - shellac; but I don't believe that shellac is used in any foods.