There are no red M&Ms from 1976 to 1987

1976 There are no red M&Ms from 1976 to 1987

1976 The popular food coloring, Red Dye No. 2, was banned by the FDA because studies had shown it might cause cancer. Red M&Ms disappeared for 11 years because of the ban.

1987 Red M&Ms return. There were none since 1976

http://www.foodreference.com/html/html/food-history-1986.html