Public Sector Pressure

Mars Inc., known for its brightly-colored M&M's and Skittles, is under the microscope amidst a broader conversation about synthetic food dyes at both the federal and state levels. Earlier this year, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) introduced a plan to eliminate synthetic dyes from the U.S. food system by 2026, with one of the steps being working with the food industry to eliminate Red 40 (also known as Allura Red AC) — one of the most well-researched artificial dyes linked to gut problems. 

Mars is a notable holdout among other large food companies (including Nestlé, General Mills, Hershey, JM Smucker, and Kraft Heinz) who have promised to remove synthetic dyes from their products following this federal action. Mars has a history with this controversy over the use of synthetic dyes, which is the focus of a recent state-level investigation. Last month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Mars, for only following through on its 2016 pledge — to remove synthetic dyes from all of its food products — in Europe but not in the United States. 

This scrutiny highlights an interesting market reality: Many food companies, including Mars, produce dye-free versions of popular candies, cereals, and other products for European markets but still use synthetic colors like Red 40 in American products. Mars has justified this by stating that consumer preferences vary by region, with European consumers preferring dyes removed, while consumers in other markets have different expectations. 

But consumer sentiments in the United States are shifting to align more with European markets on the topic of processed foods, particularly regarding synthetic dyes. For Americans managing digestive conditions like IBS, this corporate case study arrives as research continues exposing the connections between artificial dyes and gut health.

Understanding the Gut Health Connection

Beyond the corporate and regulatory discussions, research continues to examine how synthetic dyes like Red 40 affect digestive health. Animal studies indicate that chronic consumption of Red 40 contributes to colon inflammation (particularly when combined with a high-fat diet) by disrupting the gut barrier and that high consumption of such dyes may be a risk factor for developing irritable bowel disease (IBD). While research on human subjects remains limited, these results provide reason for caution in consuming Red 40, especially for people with chronic gut conditions who tend to have greater susceptibility to gut irritation due to impaired gut barrier function and heightened inflammation.

Making Informed Choices

While regulatory discussions and industry transitions continue, you can limit your intake of synthetic dyes by carefully reading ingredient labels. Red 40 is not only present in overtly red foods, but also among items like baked goods, where it enhances or preserves natural colors. Since constantly squinting at food labels may seem like a chore, one way to easily avoid synthetic dyes is by focusing on whole, unprocessed food when possible. The ongoing Mars investigation and broader industry changes reflect growing awareness of synthetic dye concerns. As this landscape evolves, staying informed about both the research and available alternatives can help you make informed choices about your food.

References:

• HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply

• HHS and FDA Announce Plans to Phase out Synthetic Food Dyes

• Texas probes M&M maker Mars over use of synthetic food dyes

• Attor­ney Gen­er­al Ken Pax­ton Announces Inves­ti­ga­tion into Food Com­pa­ny Mars for Decep­tive and Ille­gal Practices

• Kennedy’s Battle Against Food Dyes Hits a Roadblock: M&M’s

• The synthetic food dye, Red 40, causes DNA damage, causes colonic inflammation, and impacts the microbiome in mice

• Chronic exposure to synthetic food colorant Allura Red AC promotes susceptibility to experimental colitis via intestinal serotonin in mice

• Food colorants metabolized by commensal bacteria promote colitis in mice with dysregulated expression of interleukin-23

• Red 40: Is This Common Food Dye Bad for Your Health?