Mars, Inc. has announced a significant overhaul to its iconic Skittles recipe, pledging to remove all artificial colours from the sweets by 2026 in the UK and EU. The move comes amid growing consumer demand for cleaner labels and stricter regulatory scrutiny of synthetic additives.
Why the Change?
The decision follows years of pressure from health advocates and shifting consumer preferences towards natural ingredients. While Skittles' vibrant hues have long been part of their appeal, Mars stated the reformulation aims to "meet evolving expectations" without compromising taste.
What’s Being Removed?
The affected artificial dyes include:
- E171 (Titanium Dioxide)
- E129 (Allura Red)
- E102 (Tartrazine)
- E133 (Brilliant Blue)
These will be replaced with natural alternatives like spirulina extract and radish concentrate. Mars confirmed the new recipe has already been tested in several European markets with positive feedback.
Global Double Standard?
Notably, the changes apply only to Skittles sold in the UK and EU, where food additive regulations are stricter. The US version will retain artificial colours, highlighting ongoing disparities in global food standards.
The reformulation is part of Mars’ broader "Clean Label Initiative", which has already seen similar changes to M&Ms and Starburst products in Europe.
