Texas AG Investigates Mars Over Synthetic Food Dyes

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a formal investigation into Mars, the maker of M&M's and Skittles, for allegedly deceptive trade practices related to the continued use of synthetic food dyes in its U.S. products despite a 2016 pledge to remove them. Paxton criticized Mars for removing artificial colors in Europe but not in the U.S., urging the company to follow peers like Nestlé and Hershey who have committed to eliminating such dyes by 2028. The investigation is part of a broader health initiative under the Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again campaign, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has linked synthetic dyes to health issues including ADHD and cancer. Mars stated it is exploring natural color alternatives and cited regional differences in consumer preferences and technical challenges as reasons for the delay. Paxton issued a civil investigative demand for internal documents, emphasizing that the company’s claims that artificial colors pose no known risks contradict MAHA policy priorities. This inquiry highlights growing national concerns over synthetic dyes and their impact on public health.