M&M’s to Remove Iconic Colors in Push for All-Natural Ingredients
The makers of the beloved candy brand M&M’s are transitioning away from artificial colors, but fans might be disappointed to learn that the updated Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) version will be missing both blue and brown candies.
Mars, the brand behind M&M’s, is aiming to revamp its sweets in line with President Donald Trump’s MAHA initiative, yet they’re facing challenges specifically with the blue and brown colors, as reported recently.
The new all-natural varieties will feature colors like red, orange, and yellow, but the blue and brown shades have proven notably difficult to produce without synthetic dyes.
To replace artificial dyes, Mars has turned to spirulina, a natural option. However, it’s causing some unexpected issues by clogging up machinery in the factories.
This ingredient, derived from algae, requires significantly more pigment to create the desired blue hue, creating a thick, foamy substance that leaves a messy residue—something you definitely don’t want after indulging in candies.
Over time, this buildup is said to accumulate in pipes and could even lead to mold growth, raising food safety concerns.
The dilemma with blue has grown so complicated that Mars plans to launch their natural-colored M&M’s without these two classic colors this August. The brown shade, it turns out, relies heavily on blue for its appearance.
According to UT MD Anderson, several artificial dyes like Blue No. 1 and Red No. 40 have received FDA approval. Meanwhile, natural color alternatives such as beet juice, turmeric, and spirulina extract are gaining attention.
The site also highlights various health issues linked to artificial dyes, including hyperactivity in children and potential cancer risks.
In July, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. noted that about 35 percent of the U.S. food industry is in the process of eliminating artificial colors from their products.
This week, news broke that Nestlé has successfully removed all FD&C colors, fulfilling a commitment made a year ago.
Interestingly, this announcement came just as Secretary Kennedy mentioned that obesity rates in the U.S. have dropped for the first time in five decades.
