Popular candy is forced into major recipe change after bombshell RFK Jr report linked ingredient to DNA-altering chemicals
One of the most popular candies in the country has quietly had its recipe reformulated after a blistering new health report chaired by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked one of its ingredients to DNA damage and possible cancer risks.
Mars Wrigley, the global confectionery giant behind Skittles has confirmed that it has removed titanium dioxide from its rainbow-colored candies in the United States.
The move follows growing international scrutiny of the additive's potential health effects.
'Our commitment to quality is what has enabled Mars to be enjoyed by consumers for over a century, and nothing is more important than the safety of our products,' the Mars Wrigley said in a statement.
'All our products are safe to enjoy and meet the high standards and applicable regulations set by food safety authorities around the world, and that's something we will never compromise on.'
Titanium dioxide is widely used in processed foods to give a bright, opaque appearance but it has increasingly come under fire for what experts warn may be genotoxic and carcinogenic properties.
The change comes in the wake of a bombshell report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission, led by RFK Jr.
The report, released last Thursday, warned that titanium dioxide, among other food additives, 'may cause cellular and DNA damage' - particularly in children, who are exposed to such chemicals at higher rates through snack foods, candies, and sauces.
For decades, titanium dioxide has been considered a 'safe' additive by US regulators but in 2022, the European Union banned its use entirely, citing concerns over its genotoxic effects after extensive European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviews.
Now, under renewed pressure from Kennedy's commission and mounting consumer concern, it appears Mars Wrigley is taking no chances.
While the company stressed that all its products 'are safe to enjoy' critics note how Mars' decision speaks volumes as the company did not announce the change publicly.
There was no press release or social media campaign and instead just a quiet recipe tweak for one of the world's most recognizable candies.
According to the FDA's FoodData Central, there are more than 4,300 food products currently sold in the US that contain titanium dioxide ranging from salad dressings to cookies, but candies make up a particularly high percentage.
Since his appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made no secret of his intent to challenge entrenched interests in Big Food and Big Pharma.
The titanium dioxide revelation appears to be one of the first major salvos in what he describes as a broader campaign to reduce exposure to environmental toxins and endocrine disruptors.
The inclusion of titanium dioxide in the report sparked immediate concern due to its widespread use and prior warnings from NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), which has classified it as a 'possible carcinogen to humans' based on inhalation studies in animals.
The compound, which is also used in paints, sunscreens, and cosmetics, has been the subject of dozens of peer-reviewed studies indicating potential harm to internal organs, immune response, and DNA repair mechanisms when consumed regularly in nano-sized particles.
While Mars Wrigley has now altered its US Skittles recipe, thousands of other products still contain titanium dioxide, and pressure is now mounting on manufacturers and regulators to act.
Some advocacy groups are calling for immediate FDA reevaluation of the additive, while others are pushing for federal labeling laws to disclose potentially genotoxic ingredients on packaging.
Several food companies have already begun reformulating products in international markets to comply with the EU ban, but the US food industry has been slower to respond, citing outdated GRAS ('Generally Recognized as Safe') designations that critics say no longer reflect the latest scientific consensus.
For now, American consumers may still be ingesting titanium dioxide in other sweets, sauces, and baked goods unless they read the fine print.
Last month Kennedy was looking to have food petroleum based food dyes removed from sweets, cakes and other treats sold in the US - including Blue 1, Red 40, and Yellow 6.
The dyes are known as petroleum based because they are often made by combining a product from petrol with another substance to create the brilliant color.
Natural alternatives are available, and are already used in multiple products in Europe - including in Skittles.
The dyes have been linked to multiple health problems in animal studies, including cancer and a higher risk of developing tumors.
There are also concerns that the bright colors could encourage people to eat more sweet treats, leading to weight gain which is linked to a whole host of chronic diseases.
It follows moves from the states, with both California and West Virginia passing laws to ban some artificial food colorings. There are at least 30 others, mostly Democrat, considering similar legislation.
The FDA recently ordered that Red 3 must be removed from foods sold in the US by 2027 and medications by 2028, over concerns it can cause cancer.
This dye is responsible for the bright red colors found in candies and lollipops, although there are now natural alternatives.
Many states are also seeking a ban on Red 40, or Allura red - found in several popular snacks including Doritos, Skittle and Pepsi.
Yellow 5 is also on the chopping block, which has been linked to potentially triggering hyperactivity in children and damage to DNA. It is also used in Doritos, juices and cookies.
Similarly, Yellow 6 - found in sugary breakfast cereals like Lucky Charms - and Blue 1 - found in sweets like gummy bears - have both also been linked to hyperactivity.
Studies in animals have also suggested that Blue 2 - found in sports drinks - and Green 3 - often found in salad dressings - raised the risk of tumors developing, particularly in the bladder and testes.
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