As a food science expert with a background in ingredient analysis, I can provide you with an accurate answer to your question.

Skittles, a popular fruit-flavored candy, are not made out of beetle shells. The confusion might arise from the fact that a common ingredient in the food industry, called "shellac," is derived from the lac bug, a type of beetle. Shellac has been used in the confectionery industry as a glaze for candies to give them a shiny appearance. However, it is important to note that the use of shellac in the production of Skittles is a common misconception.

Mars Wrigley, the company that produces Skittles, has clarified that they do not use shellac in their Skittles. Instead, they use a different type of coating that is safe and edible. The primary ingredients in Skittles are sugar, corn syrup, modified corn starch, and various fruit flavors and colors.

To summarize, **Skittles are not made out of beetle shells**, and the company has confirmed that they do not use shellac in their candy production.

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Carmine is a red dye used to create the red Skittles. Carmine is harvested from the cochineal scale insect. Shellac is a wax secreted by the lac insect, Kerria lacca. ... Since 2009, Skittles have been produced without the gelatin and the shellac.read more >>