Mars to Offer Natural-Color Versions of M&M's, Skittles and Starburst
Mars announced that its flagship candies will soon be sold with colors derived from natural sources instead of synthetic dyes.
Mars Inc. will soon market natural-color variants of its iconic M&M's, Skittles and Starburst candies, available through Amazon at unchanged pricing. The move aligns with evolving shopper preferences and a Food and Drug Administration plan to eliminate specific synthetic petroleum dyes by 2025. To replicate the bright shades, the company is using ingredients such as beet juice for red, turmeric for yellow, spirulina and beet blends for green, beta-carotene for orange, and grape juice for purple.
Senior director of ingredient transformation Claire Hewitt noted that achieving consistent blue and brown hues remains difficult. Mars says it has invested more than a decade in research, testing and manufacturing upgrades, and has consulted thousands of consumers during development.
Why it matters
Consumers seeking fewer synthetic additives will soon have natural-color candy options from a major brand.
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