M&m's Undergoes Major Revamp, Retiring Two Classic Colors

WHO:

IJR - Mars is the company behind M&M's.

NY Post - M&M's is marking its 85th year this summer.

WHAT:

Fox Business - Mars is facing challenges in replicating the color blue naturally, as spirulina extract, used for this purpose, is prohibitively expensive, costing up to $20 per lb. for raw supplement and over $100 per lb. for concentrated forms.

Fox Business - The viscous nature of spirulina has caused clogging in M&M's factory spray nozzles and created film build-ups in manufacturing equipment, posing potential safety and health hazards.

Fox Business - Mars considered launching a three-color mix of red, orange, and yellow but decided against it, feeling "the sunset vibes were too strong."

Fox Business - Anton Vincent, leader of Mars' North American snacks division, described the effort to replace artificial dyes as "a daunting situation," stating, "you’re messing with an 85-year-old icon."

IJR - M&M's will release a version without artificial dyes.

NY Post - The revamp will eliminate two historic colors from the candy lineup.

Drudge Report - Mars is spending millions on the M&M's makeover.

WHEN:

IJR - The new M&M's version is set to be released in August.

WHY:

Fox Business - The push to remove artificial dyes from M&M's is part of a broader initiative led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has criticized artificial dyes as a key driver of health issues in the U.S.

NY Post - The revamp is part of a broader effort to remove artificial dyes and is associated with the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative.

HOW:

Fox Business - Mars had previously announced a plan to offer artificial dye-free products in 2016 but reversed the decision after customer feedback indicated a lack of concern regarding artificial dyes.

IJR - Mars has been investing significant resources into crafting the revamped version of M&M's.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 23:18 UTC)

Mars is facing significant challenges in their effort to replace artificial dyes in M&M's, particularly in replicating the color blue, as the spirulina extract needed for this purpose is both expensive and problematic for manufacturing. The viscous nature of spirulina has caused clogging in factory spray nozzles and film build-ups in equipment, raising safety concerns, while the company also considered a three-color mix of red, orange, and yellow but ultimately decided against it due to the strong "sunset vibes." Anton Vincent, who leads Mars' North American snacks division, described the situation as "daunting," especially as this initiative aligns with a broader push against artificial dyes led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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(UPDATED June 19, 2026 17:41 UTC)

M&M's, the iconic candy brand owned by Mars, is celebrating its 85th anniversary this summer with an exciting revamp that will include a new version without artificial dyes, set to be released in August. This makeover will eliminate two historic colors from the candy lineup as part of a broader effort linked to the "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, with Mars investing millions to ensure the success of this transformation. The changes reflect a growing trend towards healthier options in the food industry, as companies respond to consumer demand for more natural ingredients.