New Naturally-Colored M&M's: A Step Towards Healthier Treats

M&M's is launching a new product this summer as part of the "Make America Healthy Again" movement. The iconic candy brand will release a version of its candies made without artificial dyes in August to celebrate its 85th anniversary. However, this change will result in the removal of blue and brown candies from the lineup. Mars, the parent company of M&M's, faced challenges in replicating the blue color using natural ingredients due to the reliance on spirulina, an algae-based pigment. Despite the difficulties, M&M's will now feature red, yellow, orange, and green colors in their packages.

The decision to eliminate artificial dyes from M&M's products was influenced by a pledge made in 2016 and recent calls from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to remove artificial dyes from food products. The naturally-colored M&M's will be available for purchase on Amazon, with plans to offer all six traditional colors using natural coloring by 2028. Other Mars brands like Skittles, Extra Gum, and Starburst are also expected to introduce naturally-colored varieties in the future.

Mars is committed to finding effective and scalable solutions for removing artificial dyes from its entire product portfolio. While specific timelines for these changes were not provided, the company aims to share additional item commitments and timelines once solutions are identified. The move towards natural coloring reflects a broader industry trend towards healthier and more natural ingredients in food products.