Mars Inc., the makers of Skittles, Starburst and M&Ms, has agreed to remove artificial dyes from its candy products.
The move comes after Mars Inc execs met with Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary to discuss the dangerous chemicals in their products.
The announcement was posted on the Mars Wrigley website on July 24, but the announcement went unnoticed because the company did not issue a press release.
The news means America’s children will soon enjoy chemical-free candy the way their grandparents did when they were young.
Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. targeted artificial dyes and synthetic chemicals in the nation’s food supply.
Mars Inc, was one of the main holdouts when the Trump administration asked companies to voluntarily remove synthetic dyes from their food.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed artificial dyes and corrosive chemicals, such as citric acid, in candy and food products for decades.
The dangerous food additives are linked to stomach cancer, bowel cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other gastric disorders.
Mars Inc. will replace the dyes with natural fruit juice, which is healthier for the American people, but not as profitable for corporations.
“When we have identified fully effective, scalable solutions across the entire portfolio, we will share additional item commitments and timelines,” the company said in the statement.
