USA | In 2026, products made without Food, Drug & Cosmetic (FD&C) colours will be available in the United States across gum, fruity confection and chocolate candy from several of its iconic brands - EXTRA, SKITTLES, STARBURST and M&M’S.
Mars Wrigley North America has been on an innovation journey over the past few years, dedicated to bringing products that provide consumers with delicious choices when they treat.
In the United States, the company has been closely engaged with regulators and aware of the increased dialogue and activity regarding colours. All its products meet the high standards and applicable regulations set by food safety authorities worldwide, including the FDA.
Its experts are exploring alternatives that satisfy scientific safety criteria, technical requirements and consumer preferences. As an extension of these continued efforts, Mars Wrigley is pleased to share our intention to be among the first major CPG companies to offer choice products made without FD&C colours in 2026.
Details include:
- Introducing four options made without FD&C colours in 2026.
- Making these products available nationwide online across the United States.
- Offering these choice items under the umbrellas of our biggest brands across its biggest categories, such as gum, fruity confectionery, and chocolate candy.
- Brands that will soon have options made without FD&C colours: M&M’s Chocolate, Skittles Original, Extra Gum Spearmint and Starburst Original fruit chews. When the company has identified fully effective, scalable solutions across the entire portfolio, it will share additional item commitments and timelines.
The team in North America consistently works hard to support its consumers and, in partnership with its stakeholders, makes positive contributions to the categories of treating and snacking.
Some of our Mars Wrigley North America accomplishments include:
- Leading for over a decade as a founding member and major contributor to the efforts and successful outcomes of the National Confectioners Association (NCA) “Always A Treat” initiative. As a result of Mars Wrigley’s contribution, the entire confectionery industry exceeded voluntary commitments.
- Voluntarily introducing lower sugar versions of iconic brands like STARBURST, such as STARBURST Goodies – a plant-based, reduced sugar, and gluten-free product made with real fruit juice that is already available on the market and made without FD&C colours.
- Proudly being the first confectionery company to launch front-of-pack nutrition labelling globally, making it easier for consumers to understand caloric content and help make informed choices at a glance.
- Committing to variety in pack sizes and smaller portion options, it has offered treats that contain no more than 200 calories per serving.
- Leading the way with Mars' Global Marketing Code, launched in 2007 as one of the first of its kind, committed to avoiding advertising to children under 13, promoting transparency and compliance, and encouraging healthy, balanced diets and active lifestyles across all food-related brands.
“At Mars Wrigley, we are in the business of delighting and treating the millions of consumers who love our products,” said Anton Vincent, President of Mars Wrigley North America & Global Ice Cream.
“Our approach is always consumer-focused and science-led, and all of our delicious Mars Wrigley products meet the high standards and applicable regulations set by food safety authorities around the world, including the FDA.”
For more than 100 years, Mars has been proud to bring its consumers safe products they love, continually evolving to meet market preferences while delivering exceptional quality and taste.
