Skittles, the popular candy brand known for its vibrant colors and fruity flavors, has made a significant change to its ingredients in the United States. In late May, Mars, the parent company of Skittles, confirmed that the candy no longer contains titanium dioxide, a color additive that has been banned in Europe since 2022 due to potential health risks.
Titanium dioxide is a synthetically produced white pigment that is often used in bakery products and candy to give them a glossy appearance. However, studies have raised concerns about its safety, with some linking it to DNA damage and potential health issues such as oxidative stress, colorectal cancer, liver injury, reproductive toxicity, and more.
This move by Mars to remove titanium dioxide from Skittles has been welcomed by food safety advocates, who have long been calling for the elimination of this additive from food products. Jaydee Hanson, policy director at the Center for Food Safety, emphasized the importance of Mars committing to removing titanium dioxide from all its food products, not just Skittles.
While Mars has not commented on whether the removal of titanium dioxide will impact the taste or appearance of Skittles, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to quality and safety. Mars stated that all its products meet high standards and regulations set by authorities worldwide, and the safety of its products is a top priority.
It’s worth noting that Mars had previously pledged to stop using titanium dioxide in 2016, but the ingredient was still present in some Skittles products until recently. The company is in the process of updating its packaging and website to reflect the ingredient change, but consumers may still see it listed on some products until existing stock is sold out.
While Skittles no longer contains titanium dioxide, it still includes other food coloring additives like Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 5 and 6, which have also faced scrutiny from regulatory bodies. It remains to be seen if Mars will make further changes to its formulation or if regulatory agencies will take action regarding these additives.
Overall, the removal of titanium dioxide from Skittles is a positive step towards providing consumers with safer and more transparent food options. As awareness around food additives and their potential health impacts continues to grow, companies like Mars play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and quality of the products they offer to consumers.
