Skittles candies have been a favorite to many for quite a long time due to their rainbow of color and the array of different fruit flavors they are available in. However, due to a recent lawsuit that has drawn attention to an unflattering story behind the candy, you may want to hold off on tasting the rainbow just yet.
One citizen filed a class action lawsuit against Mars candy corporation, claiming that the company has failed to warn customers about the chemical ‘titanium dioxide’ and how it is ‘unfit for human consumption. According to the lawsuit, it is because they have held back this truth that they have committed fraud of omission.
But, because the chemical isn’t illegal in the U.S. due to the Food and Drug Administration’s policies, Mars argues that they have done nothing wrong. “While we do not comment on pending litigation, our use of titanium dioxide complies with FDA regulations,” a Mars spokesperson stated to the press.
For those who are unaware, titanium dioxide is a white coloring agent that is used in cake decorating, toothpaste, cosmetics, and paper. The FDA says that it is safe, in limited amounts. Beyond the ‘safe’ limit, titanium dioxide is considered to be carcinogenic and has been known to cause lung cancer in animal trials. Additionally, it can cause you to become very sick.
Because of this, Jenile Thames, a resident of California who filed the lawsuit, alleges that Mars has “long known about [its] health problems” and has failed to warn customers.
Titanium Dioxide is illegal in many European countries for this very reason.
Another point made by the lawsuit is that even Mars has previously promised customers that they would phase out artificial coloring and titanium dioxide, and still has yet to fulfill the promise. “More than six years later, Defendant continues to sell the Products with [titanium dioxide] unbeknownst to reasonable consumers who purchase the Products.”
Additionally, the lawsuit points out that other colorful candies like Sour Patch Kids, Swedish Fish, and Nerds do not contain the contaminant known as titanium dioxide.