M&M’s is getting a MAHA makeover!
Mars just announced that a dye-free version of their classic M&M’s candies will hit the markets this August.
However, two traditional colors will be axed in the process — at least, temporarily.
Blue and brown M&M’s will not be included in the mix due to logistical issues with re-creating these colors using all-natural ingredients.
Mars has announced a version of M&M's without artificial dyes — and without two of the candy's classic colors. pic.twitter.com/ZYRDX1ROqd
— ABC News (@ABC) June 21, 2026
The New York Post went into detail about the problems the company faced with creating an all-natural, blue candy shell:
As pressure mounts from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s MAHA movement to ditch synthetic food colorings, candy giant Mars is spending millions of dollars to reinvent one of America’s most recognizable treats.
But replacing the bright blue shell that has been part of M&M’s rainbow since 1995 has turned into a surprisingly sticky problem.
The culprit is spirulina, the high-protein ingredient often touted as a superfood, which is apparently gumming up the machines at the Mars facility that produces 600 million M&M’s every day.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, Mars selected spirulina as the best natural substitute for the artificial dye Blue 1.
But the algae-based ingredient requires roughly seven times as much pigment to achieve that M&M “cerulean” hue and ends up creating a thick, foamy mixture that leaves an unwanted plaque, much like what you try to avoid after eating candy.
The coated remnants are said to cause a buildup in pipes and, eventually, mold, which poses a food-safety hazard.
“It’s the hardest thing I’ve had to do in my career,” Claire Hewitt, the Mars executive overseeing the multimillion-dollar initiative and self-described “chief color officer,” told the Journal.
The blue problem has become so complicated that Mars will debut naturally colored M&M’s in August without two of its classic shades, because brown relies heavily on blue coloring to achieve the look.
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The initial run of dye-free M&M’s will be available exclusively on Amazon.
For now, the regular M&M’s will still be distributed to grocery stores.
But, the ultimate goal is to remove all artificial dyes from the product — with all the colors — by 2028.
Per News Nation:
Mars explored replacing blue and brown with purple and pink or shifting to a three-color mix, but ultimately decided against those options. Red, yellow, orange, and green are expected to appear in the initial FD&C-free lineup that will soon be available on Amazon. Mars aims to have the full core blend available by 2028.
The company had pledged in 2016 to remove artificial dyes from its products but later reversed course after determining customers were not concerned.
What do you think?
Will you be trying the new, healthier version of M&M’s?
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