MCLEAN, Va. — Mars, the maker of M&M’s, said it will introduce a version of its flagship chocolate candy without artificial dyes beginning in August, marking a significant reformulation of one of the company’s best-known products as food manufacturers face growing pressure to reduce the use of synthetic color additives.
The company said the updated M&M’s will use colors derived from natural sources. Mars has indicated that blue and brown candies will not be included in the initial dye-free product because replacing those shades with natural alternatives has proven more difficult and costly than other colors. The new product is expected to be sold initially through Amazon, according to company statements reported by several media outlets.
The announcement comes as Mars follows through on a pledge to offer product options without certified artificial colors beginning in 2026. The commitment covers several brands, including M&M’s, Skittles, Starburst and Extra gum, according to information published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Mars executives said the reformulation effort required extensive research to recreate the candy’s traditional appearance using natural ingredients. Colors such as red, orange and yellow have been replicated using plant-based sources, while blue has presented particular manufacturing challenges because natural substitutes have been more difficult to scale for commercial production.
“It was a daunting situation,” Anton Vincent, president of Mars’ North America snacking division, told The Wall Street Journal in comments cited by multiple news reports. “You’re messing with an 85-year-old icon.”
The move follows broader changes across the U.S. food industry as manufacturers respond to evolving consumer preferences and regulatory scrutiny of artificial color additives. Several major food companies have announced plans to remove or reduce synthetic dyes from portions of their product portfolios, according to FDA records.
Mars has not said it will discontinue its traditional artificially colored M&M’s. Reports citing the company said the conventional version is expected to remain available while the dye-free option is introduced. The company has also stated that work continues on natural replacements for the blue and brown colors, with plans to expand the reformulated lineup in the future. Details on production volumes and broader distribution remain unclear.
