A Century of Colorful Changes
The vibrant, candy-coated chocolates known as M&Ms have seen many colorful evolutions since their debut in 1941. While no colors are officially 'banned' from M&M production today, several shades have been discontinued over the years for various reasons, from consumer perception to global votes. The most famous case involved the disappearance of red M&M's, a story that became a notable piece of confectionery folklore.
The Great Red M&M Scare of the 1970s
In 1976, Mars, Inc., the manufacturer of M&M's, made a controversial decision to remove all red M&M's from the classic candy mix. This choice was a pre-emptive marketing maneuver, not a reaction to a direct ban on their ingredients. Public concern had been mounting over the safety of a food coloring, FD&C Red No. 2, also known as amaranth, after a Russian study linked it to cancer in rats.
Although Mars did not use Red Dye #2 in their candy shells, the public fear was so widespread that the company opted to remove the red color to avoid consumer confusion and maintain public trust. For over a decade, bags of M&M's were conspicuously missing the red candies, much to the dismay of loyal fans. The gap was filled by the introduction of orange M&M's, which were added to the mix that same year. The red M&M's finally made their triumphant return in 1987, but they were not brought back due to a change in the original dye; Mars continued to use the safer Red Dye #40 and kept the orange candies in production as a permanent addition.
The Retirement of Violet and Tan
Long before the red candy scare, M&M's underwent another significant color shift. The original M&M's mix of 1941 included red, yellow, green, violet, and brown. The purple-toned violet candy was a standard color until the late 1940s when it was replaced by a less vibrant tan. The tan M&M's would remain a fixture in the candy mix for nearly 50 years until the company decided to shake things up once more.
In 1995, Mars launched a major marketing campaign, allowing consumers to vote for a new color to replace tan. The choices were pink, blue, or purple. Blue won the popular vote with 54% and became a permanent member of the M&M's family, signaling the end of the tan candy's era. Purple would later make a brief reappearance in 2002 as a limited edition color and then again in 2022 as a new character, though the candy itself isn't a permanent part of the standard mix.
International Food Dye Regulations
Beyond the well-known stories of discontinued colors in the U.S., it's important to understand that food dye regulations vary globally. Some food colorings that are permitted in the United States may be banned in European countries or require specific warning labels. For instance, Red Dye #40, which replaced the feared Red Dye #2, is restricted or banned in many European nations. This difference in regulation can lead to variations in candy production across different markets, meaning certain regional M&M's might have slightly different color palettes or use alternative colorings.
A History of M&M's Color Changes
Here is a timeline outlining the major color changes and shake-ups in the history of M&M's:
- 1941: Original colors were red, yellow, violet, green, and brown.
- Late 1940s: Violet is discontinued and replaced by tan.
- 1976: Red M&M's are removed from the mix due to the Red Dye #2 scare, though the dye was not used in the product. Orange M&M's are introduced to take their place.
- 1987: Red M&M's are officially reintroduced into the classic mix. The orange color remains.
- 1995: A consumer vote leads to the replacement of tan M&M's with blue.
- 2002: Purple M&M's are added as a temporary, limited-edition color following another public vote.
- 2022: A new permanent purple M&M character is introduced, but the candy color is not included in all standard mixes.
Current Colors vs. Historical Colors
| Feature | Current Standard M&M's Mix (U.S.) | Historical M&M's Mixes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Colors | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Brown | Original: Red, Yellow, Violet, Green, Brown | |
| Temporarily Removed Color | N/A | Red (1976-1987): Removed due to Red Dye #2 controversy | |
| Permanently Discontinued Colors | N/A | Violet (pre-1949): Replaced by tan | Tan (1949-1995): Replaced by blue |
| Limited Edition Color | Occasional promotions (e.g., special purple releases) | Purple (2002): Limited-time global color | |
| Reason for Change | Market evolution, consumer demand | Public perception, consumer campaigns, brand updates |
Conclusion
Ultimately, no M&M colors are banned in the modern sense. The story of the red M&M's in the 1970s is a testament to the power of public perception and effective marketing. Mars, Inc. made a strategic choice to temporarily pull a color that was safe, rather than fight against overwhelming public fears. While we no longer see violet or tan candies in our bags, their removal was part of the brand's ongoing evolution to keep its color palette fresh and appealing to consumers. The legacy of these discontinued colors reminds us that even the simplest candy has a complex and compelling history.
For more detailed information on food regulations and dyes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides extensive resources on approved food color additives. [Link to an FDA resource, e.g., the page on food color additives] (This is an optional outbound link).
