A class-action lawsuit filed in California alleges that Skittles candies contain titanium dioxide, a substance the European Food Safety Authority has deemed unsafe as a food additive. The suit claims Mars Inc, the manufacturer, has concealed information about the potential health risks from consumers.
The plaintiff, Jenile Thames, argues that Mars knew of the risks and promised to phase out titanium dioxide in 2016, but has not done so in the United States. The lawsuit states that Mars' promise was misleading, as the company claimed artificial colours pose no known health risks.
Thames contends that consumers are at heightened risk of genotoxicity, which can damage DNA. The suit seeks class-action status, representing all US purchasers of Skittles. Mars has declined to comment on the pending litigation.
