As more lawmakers and health officials push to ban more artificial food dyes, a major candy manufacturer is offering customers new options.
Mars Wrigley U.S. announced in a press release that they would soon offer customers the chance to purchase candy that is made without artificial food coloring, including for iconic brands like Skittles.
“Our team in North America is always working hard for our consumers and in partnership with our stakeholders to make positive contributions to the treating and snacking categories,” the company said in a statement.
A press release from the company released in late July indicated that four of its products will have options available without Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) colors, including M&M’s, Skittles, Extra gum and Starburst fruit chews.
The company said it is “engaged closely with regulators and aware of the increased dialogue and activity regarding colors.”
Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration announced a phased rollout ban on Red 3 food dye and several other petroleum-based dyes, part of Health and Human Services Sec. Robert Kennedy Jr.’s plan to drastically alter how food is produced in the U.S.
Kennedy announced the plan earlier this year, with the phasing out of six different food dyes set to be completed by the end of 2026. He argues that the move is required because of “measurable dangers” that the dyes present, though there is not scientific consensus on that issue, and the FDA has found that most children “have no adverse effects” from the substances.
“For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,” he said. “These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development. That era is coming to an end. We’re restoring gold-standard science, applying common sense, and beginning to earn back the public’s trust. And we’re doing it by working with industry to get these toxic dyes out of the foods our families eat every day.”
Among the products impacted by the soon-to-be banned food dyes are different types of candy, breakfast cereals and soda, according to officials.
The Food and Drug Administration announced plans Tuesday to phase out widely used petroleum-based food dyes. NBC Chicago’s Stefan Holt reports.
A press release said that Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B will have FDA authorizations revoked within “coming months.” Six other dyes, including Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1 and Blue No. 2 will be removed from the food supply by the end of next year if all goes according to plan.
According to the Associated Press, Kellogg, Kraft Heinz, General Mills, Coca-Cola and Steak ‘n Shake have also expressed new commitments to phasing out the dyes from their products in the aftermath of the announcement.
Illinois lawmakers have also been pushing to ban certain food dyes and substances, including brominated vegetable oil in recent years, mirroring similar efforts in California.
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