Texas Att. Gen. Ken Paxton announced an investigation into Mars Inc. for allegedly failing to fulfill a 2016 promise to remove artificial colors from its products.
The candy giant behind M&M’s and Skittles is facing scrutiny for continuing to use synthetic dyes in American products, despite removing them from European versions.
Mars publicly pledged nine years ago to “remove all artificial colors from its human food products.” However, the company reversed course for U.S. consumers while continuing to follow through in Europe.
The attorney general issued a Civil Investigative Demand to obtain documents from Mars. The move allows Texas to examine the company’s internal communications and decision-making processes.
“Mars must remove toxic artificial dyes from its U.S. food products not only to honor its public commitment and ensure that it stays on the right side of the law, but also because it’s the right thing to do,” Paxton said, adding, “… it’s time for Mars to follow the lead of other companies like Nestle and Hershey by removing synthetic dyes from its products.”
Mars claimed that “artificial colors pose no known risks to human health or safety.” Paxton’s office disputes this assertion, citing research linking the dyes to various health problems, including ADHD, autism, and cancer.
The investigation follows a similar probe in Texas of General Mills, which recently agreed to remove artificial dyes after facing legal pressure from Paxton’s office, as previously reported on by The Dallas Express.