Mars Inc. has officially removed titanium dioxide from Skittles, marking a significant shift in food safety standards. The decision follows years of scrutiny over the additive, which has been used to whiten foods, enhance colors, and give candy a glossy appearance. The move comes after mounting pressure from consumer advocacy groups and renewed attention from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has called for stricter regulations on synthetic food additives. This change signals a growing push for cleaner ingredients in processed foods.
Titanium dioxide has been a controversial ingredient for years. The European Union banned it in 2022, citing concerns over potential DNA damage and carcinogenic effects. Despite this, the U.S. continued to allow its use in thousands of food products, including candies, sauces, and baked goods. The removal of titanium dioxide from Skittles raises questions about why it remained in American food for so long.
Mars had pledged in 2016 to phase out artificial colors from its products, but titanium dioxide remained in Skittles until late 2024. The company quietly reformulated the candy without making a public announcement, only confirming the change after media inquiries. This lack of transparency highlights the broader issue of food companies making ingredient changes without informing consumers.
Advocacy groups, including the Center for Food Safety, have long pushed for a ban on titanium dioxide in the U.S. They argue that the FDA has failed to act, leaving states to take the lead on food safety regulations. The pressure from state-level activism and RFK Jr.’s leadership at HHS appears to have played a role in forcing Mars to act.
The removal of titanium dioxide from Skittles may be just the beginning. Other major food brands, including Mondelez, Kraft Heinz, and JM Smucker, still use the additive in various products. The White House’s Make America Healthy Again report recently flagged titanium dioxide as a chemical of concern, suggesting that further regulatory action could be on the horizon. Consumers should expect more ingredient changes in processed foods as scrutiny intensifies.