Why two M&M’s colors disappear from new candy bags

Two of M&M‘s most recognizable colors are taking a temporary step back – but don’t panic just yet.

Mars is introducing new versions of some of its products without FD&C colors, the artificial colors commonly used in food, beverages and candy. That includes M&M’s, which means the iconic chocolate candies may soon look a little different.

The biggest surprise? Blue and brown will not be included in the company’s original color-free offerings, a change that comes as food manufacturers work to find alternatives to synthetic dyes.

Why there are missing blue and brown M&Ms

According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and Fox BusinessMars has struggled to find natural alternatives that can accurately recreate certain M&M’s colors, especially blue and brown.

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The company reportedly spent months testing different color combinations while developing the new colorless version of the candy.

At one point, staff considered using a mix of red, orange, and yellow, but ultimately decided that the sunset-inspired palette felt too heavily weighted toward warm colors.

“It was a scary situation,” said Anton Vincent, president of Mars’ North American snack division The Wall Street Journal. “You’re messing with an 85-year-old icon.”

What changes?

Mars announced in 2025 that several products, including M&Ms, would soon be available in versions made without FD&C colors.

The company said these new options will be sold through Amazon later this year.

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The move comes amid increasing pressure to phase out artificial colorings from food. In 2025, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced plans to phase out synthetic food coloring as part of Make America Healthy Again initiative.

At that time, Kennedy said food manufacturers had entered into an agreement to phase out petroleum-based food dyes by 2026.

Are Blue and Brown M&M’s Gone Forever?

Not at all.

Mars says the traditional version of M&M’s isn’t going anywhere and will continue to be sold in its familiar mix of colors, including red, yellow, orange, green, blue and brown.

A spokesperson for the company said so People that the color-free versions are just additional options introduced alongside existing products.

“Four Mars product options made without FD&C colors from several of our iconic brands — M&M’s, SKITTLES, STARBURST and EXTRA — will be available for purchase via Amazon later this year in the US,” the spokesperson said.

So while blue and brown won’t appear in the first colorless bags of M&M’s, fans of the classic candy don’t have to say goodbye to those colors just yet.