Why were Red M&M's discontinued for a decade? (2024)

FAQs

Why were Red M&M's discontinued for a decade? ›

As for red M&M's, Mars actually stopped producing the color between 1976 and 1987, according to Mental Floss. Apparently, the Soviet Union declared that Red Dye No. 2 could pose a health risk to those who consumed it. So, to be safe, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of the dye.

The Mars company succumbed to a brief bout of hysteria in 1976, when federal regulations identified red food coloring, or Red Dye No. 2, as a possible health risk.

Much to the public's dismay, the Mars and Murray Company stopped production of red M&Ms because of a health scare concerning Red Dye Number 2, which at the time was the most common red food dye in use.

The Mars candy company stopped making red M&Ms in 1976 after the FDA removed red dye number 2 from its safe list. The decision followed a Russian study in 1971 that reported the dye caused tumors in rats.

Red M&M's disappeared in the '80s after a study linked a certain red food dye to cancer, despite Mars not actually using that dye.

Summary. The Green and Brown M&M's mascots caused controversy due to a minor change in their appearance, with conservatives criticizing the shift as being too "woke" and feminists arguing it was a poor attempt at inclusivity.

For most people, it is safe to consume and poses no health risk, but some may be allergic to it. Red Dye 40 is one of the most widely used food dyes, as well as one of the most controversial. The dye is thought to be linked to allergies, migraine, and mental disorders in children.

In 1960, M&M's added the yellow, red, and green colors. In 1976, the color orange was added to the mix to replace red, which was discontinued in response to the "red dye scare" over Red Dyes #2 and #4 having been evaluated to be carcinogenic in nature.

M&M stands for Mars and Murrie - named after Forrest E. Mars Sr. – the founder of Mars – and Bruce Murrie, the son of Hershey Chocolate's president William F. R. Murrie. The story behind how M&Ms came to be, begins after Mars had a fall-out with his father and travelled to Europe.

When did they stop making red M&MS? There was a red synthetic food dye that was banned in 1976. M&Ms never used the dye but to avoid consumer confusion the red M&Ms were pulled from production.

What percentage of M&M's are red? ›

On average, regular milk chocolate M&Ms have 24.17% blue, 20.34% red, 16.3% green, 12.6% orange, and 18.3% yellow. In peanut bags, 12.94% are blue, 13.54% red, 15.40% green, 13.70% orange, and 15.50% yellow. Milk chocolate batches have 7.10-7.20% brown, while coconut batches have 25.50% brown.

It wouldn't be dangerous. M&Ms are small enough that, individually, your esophagus can handle them easily. You might have a chance of choking if you eat all the m&ms at one time.

Is Red 40 banned in Europe? Red 40 is not banned in Europe, but its use is more restricted compared to the United States. European regulations require foods containing Red 40 or other artificial dyes to carry a label warning consumers that the dye may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.

As for red M&M's, Mars actually stopped producing the color between 1976 and 1987, according to Mental Floss. Apparently, the Soviet Union declared that Red Dye No. 2 could pose a health risk to those who consumed it. So, to be safe, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of the dye.

The rarest M&M color is generally considered to be brown. In the past, brown M&M's were discontinued for a period of time but were reintroduced in 1987 due to popular demand.

Mon, Apr 21, 1997 (11:59 a.m.) Gene Brown opened a package of peanut M&Ms Sunday night during a card game. He spotted a gray M&M and immediately thought he had won the $1 million prize offered by M&M Mars in its promotional sweepstakes.

In 2022, the European Union prohibited it from use in food offered for sale, but it is still allowed in food sold in the U.S. Red Dye No. 40 has not been evaluated for health risks since 1971. Many studies show it may pose a risk to brain development in children, hyperactivity and even cancer.

M&M's says it is abandoning its colorful candy mascots because they are too “polarizing” for Americans to handle these days. The ubiquitous chocolate characters—which have been the face of M&M's for years—didn't say anything controversial.

In the 1970s, Red #2 was banned after tests showed a link between its carcinogenic properties and intestinal tumors. Several yellow dyes have also been banned, leaving only seven dyes on the FDA's approved list - the most popular of which are Yellow #5, Blue #1, and Red #40.

He represents the original Milk Chocolate flavor of M&M's, but has also represented Crispy, Dark and White Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Birthday Cake, Crunchy Mint, Raspberry and Espresso. Red is an expressive extrovert, and he would like to win always. He is really picky and cynical, which can lead to quick remarks.