M&M’s could soon look a little different as Mars works to create a naturally colored version of the iconic candy amid growing pressure to remove synthetic food dyes.

The candy maker is preparing to launch a new line of naturally colored M&M’s in August, but the first version will be missing two of the brand’s most recognizable colors: blue and brown.

The move comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again movement continues pushing food manufacturers to phase out artificial colorings.

While traditional M&M’s will remain on store shelves, Mars is investing millions into developing an alternative made with natural ingredients.

Mars struggles to replace blue M&M color

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the biggest challenge has been recreating the candy’s blue shell without using artificial dyes.

Mars selected spirulina, an algae-based ingredient often used as a natural coloring, as its preferred replacement for Blue 1. However, the ingredient has created unexpected manufacturing problems.

The company reportedly needs around seven times more pigment to achieve the same blue shade found on current M&M’s. The resulting mixture becomes thick and foamy, leaving behind residue that can build up inside factory equipment.




-Dexerto