Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is launching an official investigation into Mars, Incorporated — the global manufacturer behind iconic candies such as M&M’s and Skittles — for allegedly deceiving consumers about removing synthetic dyes from its U.S. products.
In a press release Wednesday, Paxton accused the confectionery giant of violating Texas consumer protection laws through “deceptive trade practices,” saying the company broke a public promise to remove artificial coloring from its products worldwide.
“Mars must remove toxic artificial dyes from its U.S. food products not only to honor its public commitment and ensure that it stays on the right side of the law, but also because it’s the right thing to do,” said Paxton.
A Promise Unkept?
Back in 2016, Mars publicly committed to eliminating all artificial colors from its human food portfolio. Nearly a decade later, Paxton says the company has only followed through in European markets — where stricter food safety regulations often prohibit the use of dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 — while continuing to use them in products sold in the United States.
Paxton also took direct aim at Mars’ longstanding claim that artificial dyes pose “no known risks to human health or safety,” calling the statement “false” and “misleading.”
“It’s clear that the movement to remove artificial colorings from our food supply is making incredible progress,” Paxton added. “It’s time for Mars to follow the lead of other companies like Nestlé and Hershey by removing synthetic dyes from its products. For the health of Texans and all Americans, Mars must fulfill its 2016 pledge to get rid of these toxic ingredients.”
Mars Defends Safety Standards
Mars responded Wednesday evening with a statement reaffirming its adherence to U.S. food safety laws. “Our ingredients are manufactured in compliance with strict quality and safety regulations established by food safety authorities, including the FDA,” a spokesperson said. The company also noted it is “actively exploring choice product alternatives that satisfy scientific safety criteria, technical requirements, and consumer preferences.”
Despite Mars’ assurances, growing scrutiny of synthetic food dyes — particularly in children’s products — has led many companies to reformulate. Brands like Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and Nestlé have either removed or reduced artificial colors in their products, citing consumer demand and evolving scientific consensus.
A Broader Push for Food Reform
The Mars investigation comes amid a wider political push to overhaul the American food system. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently signed the “Make Texas Healthy Again” Act, which will require clearer food labeling and mandate nutritional education in state schools starting in 2026.
At the federal level, President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have both backed nationwide bans on ultra-processed foods in schools and fluoride in public drinking water — initiatives that have sparked both praise and controversy.
In a Truth Social post Wednesday night, Trump added fuel to the reform movement by claiming that Coca-Cola has “agreed” to return to using cane sugar in U.S. sodas instead of high-fructose corn syrup, calling it “just better!”
What’s Next?
It remains to be seen whether Paxton’s investigation will result in formal legal action against Mars. Consumer advocacy groups have long argued that U.S. food manufacturers often sell cleaner versions of their products in Europe while continuing to use cheaper, artificial additives in the American market.
For now, Paxton is signaling that Texas may lead a more aggressive charge to hold companies accountable — not just for what’s in their products, but for what they’ve promised consumers.
