Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an official investigation into Mars, Incorporated, the maker of M&M’s and Skittles, over claims of deceptive trade practices that he says violate consumer rights.
The inquiry follows Mars’s unfulfilled 2016 public pledge to eliminate artificial colors from all its human food products. According to Paxton, Mars removed the dyes from products distributed in Europe but failed to do the same for its U.S. offerings.
Paxton’s office also criticized the company’s statement that “artificial colors pose no known risks to human health or safety,” calling it misleading and dangerous. Studies have linked synthetic dyes to a variety of health problems, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, and even cancer.
“Mars must remove toxic artificial dyes from its U.S. food products not only to honor its public commitment and ensure that it stays on the right side of the law, but also because it’s the right thing to do,” said Attorney General Paxton.
He added, “It’s clear that the movement to remove artificial colorings from our food supply is making incredible progress, and it’s time for Mars to follow the lead of other companies like Nestlé and Hershey by removing synthetic dyes from its products.”
To begin the process, Paxton has issued a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) to Mars to obtain key documents related to its use of synthetic food dyes and public representations.
This Ken Paxton investigation into Mars for deceptive trade practices reflects his broader effort to hold food manufacturers accountable for misleading the public. Following one of his recent investigations, General Mills announced its decision to remove artificial dyes from its products.
Paxton credited this growing momentum to the joint efforts of his office, President Trump, and U.S. Secretary of Health Dr. Robert Kennedy.
