Mars Launches Dye-Free M&M’s, Dropping Blue and Brown

Mars will launch a version of M&M’s without certified synthetic colors in August 2026, marking its 85th anniversary. The new packs will contain only red, orange, yellow and green pieces; blue and brown are omitted. The classic formulation will remain available.

Mars ditches blue, brown in new dye-free M&M’s for U.S.

The rollout follows the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) push led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who urges removal of artificial dyes. In April 2025 the FDA and HHS announced a plan to phase out dyes such as Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. The FDA tracker lists Mars as “in progress” on eliminating certified colors from candy lines starting in 2026. The tracker also notes that Hershey, PepsiCo and WK Kellogg have pledged to drop certified color additives.

Mars ditches blue, brown in new dye-free M&M’s for U.S.

Anton Vincent, president of Mars Snacking, oversaw the reformulation. Claire Hewitt managed the technical work. Over 100 staff and multi-million-dollar investments support development of natural pigments. Kennedy Jr. has linked synthetic dyes to behavioral and cancer concerns, though scientific consensus remains unsettled.

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Blue, added in 1995, is hard to replace; alternatives like spirulina need more material and cause nozzle clogging. Brown also relies on blue, complicating removal. Mars reproduced red, orange, yellow and green with beetroot, turmeric and other extracts. Mars aims to restore all six colors by 2028. The effort follows a 2016 pledge to drop artificial dyes that was later reversed and revived under regulatory pressure.

M&M’s set to launch dye-free candy in August, but two shades may be absent

Mars called the change “daunting” and stressed its iconic status. It framed the four-color line as a market test, not a full replacement. HHS officials reaffirmed support for moves toward safer ingredients.

Mars ditches blue, brown in new dye-free M&M’s for U.S.

Scientists note that evidence linking synthetic colors to ADHD or cancer remains inconclusive, urging more research before bans.

M&M’s set to launch dye-free candy in August, but two shades may be absent

One source says the dye-free packs will debut via Amazon, another mentions nationwide online sales without retail detail. A report cites 27 companies with HHS commitments, while another lists only Hershey, PepsiCo and WK Kellogg, leaving the count unclear. These firms have pledged to drop certified color additives.

Mars ditches blue, brown in new dye-free M&M’s for U.S.

• “It was a daunting situation,” — Anton Vincent, Mars Snacking President

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• “You’re messing with an 85-year-old icon.” — Anton Vincent

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• “It’s the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my career,” — Claire Hewitt, Mars

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• “The Food and Drug Administration’s tracker says Mars is “in progress” on plans to sell Extra, M&M’s, Skittles and Starburst without certified colors starting in 2026.” on plans to sell Extra, M&M’s, Skittles and Starburst without certified colors starting in 2026.” — FDA tracker

Mars ditches blue, brown in new dye-free M&M’s for U.S.

Mars will monitor response to the four-color bags in 2026 and, if positive, aim to reintroduce blue and brown with natural dyes by 2028. The FDA’s phase-out of synthetic dyes continues into the early 2030s, affecting other snack categories.

Mars ditches blue, brown in new dye-free M&M’s for U.S.