Mars launches synthetic dye-free M&M’s and Skittles in the U.S

Mars has begun selling new versions of M&M’s, Skittles, and Starburst without synthetic dyes in the United States. The launch, which began this Thursday, is initially available through Amazon.

The transition follows increased regulatory pressure in the U.S., including an FDA announcement that six synthetic dyes will be prohibited by 2027. To replace petroleum-derived additives, Mars is using natural ingredients: beet juice for red, turmeric for yellow, a combination of turmeric, beet juice, and spirulina for green, and beta-carotene for orange.

Claire Hewitt, Mars' senior director of ingredient transformation, noted that maintaining color intensity and consistency during large-scale production remains a significant technological challenge. Specifically, achieving a consistent blue using spirulina and a uniform purple using grapes has proven difficult due to the nature of natural ingredients compared to synthetic alternatives.