Mars to release M&Ms and Skittles candy options without artificial dyes in 2026
FILE-In this photo illustration, M&M's are shown on April 19, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Mars is making major changes to its popular candy products by offering natural dye options beginning in 2026.
The company said in a release that it plans to share more details and timelines for transitioning more of its products away from artificial colors "when we have identified fully effective, scalable solutions."
Which Mars products will have the natural dye option?
Why you should care: The candymaker announced in a July release that it will offer M&Ms, Skittles, Starburst Original fruit chews, and Extra Gum Spearmint candy options that don’t contain Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colors or artificial dyes next year.
Mars explained in the release that it plans to share more details and timelines for transitioning more of its products away from artificial colors "when we have identified fully effective, scalable solutions."
RELATED: M&M's, Skittles maker pushes back on RFK Jr's MAHA initiative to ban synthetic food dyes
"Mars Wrigley North America has been on an innovation journey over the past few years, dedicated to bringing products that provide consumers delicious choices when they treat," the company stated in a release. "In the United States, we are engaged closely with regulators and aware of the increased dialogue and activity regarding colors. All our products meet the high standards and applicable regulations set by food safety authorities around the world, including the FDA."
The move comes as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to eliminate synthetic food dyes from products nationwide as part of his "Make America Healthy Again" initiative.
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In July, Mars pushed back on Kennedy’s initiative and refrained from joining a group of major food companies like Nestle, Kraft Heinz, General Mills and PepsiCo, who agreed to voluntarily remove synthetic dyes from their products, FOX Business reported.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by a Mars release, previous LIVENOW from FOX reporting and FOX Business. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.