Understanding Food Dye (IMAGE) University of Missouri-Columbia Caption Scouts Sloane (left) and Katie (far right) listen to student volunteer Jasmin Wright explain the M&M chromatography experiment. Students separate the food dye mixtures used to color the candy coatings. The dyes' properties determine how fast they creep up the filter paper when immersed in salt water, resulting in separation. Credit Shane Epping/University of Missouri Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.