Is your favorite candy a colorful trap? A growing push to eliminate synthetic food dyes is clashing with candy giants like Mars, which resist change despite mounting health concerns.
According to the New York Post, this battle pits consumer health advocacy and state-level regulations against the candy industry’s reluctance to abandon artificial colorings, driven by cost, supply issues, and a preference for vibrant treats.
Across the food sector, a shift is underway. Major players like Kraft Heinz, General Mills, PepsiCo, Nestlé, and ConAgra Brands have pledged to phase out synthetic dyes by the end of 2027.
This wave of voluntary reform stems from warnings by health officials and groups about potential links between artificial dyes and behavioral issues in children. Broader safety concerns over food additives fuel the movement, too.
Yet, the candy industry isn’t budging. Mars, maker of M&M’s and Skittles, has made small tweaks—like dropping titanium dioxide from Skittles—but still leans heavily on artificial colorings.
Mars points to hurdles like high costs and scarce natural alternatives. They also argue that consumers crave those bright, eye-catching hues in their treats.
The National Confectioners Association, which represents candy makers, backs Mars’ stance. “People can freely buy cannabis, THC products, alcohol, and cigarettes – but vibrantly colored candy is an issue?” said spokesman Christopher Gindlesperger to The Post.
“Consumers know that confectionery products are treats and that they contain sugar, food colors, and other FDA-approved ingredients,” Gindlesperger added. He emphasized candy’s transparency in this regard.
“People have a unique mindset when they enjoy chocolate and candy that is not present with other foods,” Gindlesperger noted. He insisted such treats remain safe, as they have been for generations.
While federal regulators have yet to act on artificial dyes, states are taking matters into their own hands. Lawmakers across the country are proposing or passing laws to curb synthetic colorings in food.
West Virginia has banned seven dyes and two preservatives from school meals starting Aug. 1, 2025, with a statewide food ban by Jan. 1, 2028. California will outlaw Red Dye No. 3 and other additives in foods from Jan. 1, 2027, with a school-specific ban later that year.
Other states are following suit with school-focused restrictions. Utah banned multiple artificial dyes in public school foods as of March 2024, while Virginia’s ban starts on July 1, 2027.
Texas took a different tack, mandating warning labels on foods with over 40 additives, including synthetic dyes, starting Jan. 1, 2027. These state actions reflect a growing unease with untested or risky food components.
For investors and liberty-minded readers, this saga raises questions about government overreach versus market freedom. Should states dictate what’s in your candy, or should consumer choice and company innovation lead the way? The Post has reached out to Mars, the National Confectioners Association, and health advocate RFK Jr. for further comment.