Who Owns Skittles?

Skittles operates under Mars, Incorporated's corporate sustainability framework. Mars has established environmental and social responsibility goals through its "Sustainable in a Generation" plan.

Palm Oil: Skittles contain hydrogenated palm kernel oil. Mars is a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and has committed to sourcing 100% RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil. As of 2025, Mars reported that over 99% of its palm oil was RSPO-certified. This is independently verified through RSPO's supply chain certification process.

Packaging: Mars has committed to making 100% of its packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025. As of 2025, the company reported that approximately 65% of its packaging met this goal. Skittles packaging consists primarily of flexible plastic film, which is difficult to recycle. Mars is developing alternative packaging materials but has not fully transitioned Skittles packaging to recyclable formats.

Carbon Emissions: Mars aims to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 50% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050, compared to 2015 levels. The company reports progress through its annual sustainability report. Skittles' manufacturing facilities are part of Mars' global emissions reduction strategy.

Cocoa Sourcing: While Skittles do not contain cocoa, Mars' broader confectionery supply chain includes cocoa sourcing. Mars has committed to supporting sustainable cocoa farming through its Cocoa for Generations strategy, which aims to improve farmer livelihoods and combat deforestation.

B Corp Status: Mars, Incorporated is not a certified B Corporation.

Fair Trade: Skittles are not Fair Trade certified. Mars does not use Fair Trade certification for its sugar confectionery products.

Food Safety and Ingredient Transparency: Mars has faced significant scrutiny regarding ingredient safety in Skittles, particularly around titanium dioxide and artificial colors. The company removed titanium dioxide from U.S. Skittles in early 2026 and announced plans to transition to natural colors in select products by 2026. These changes are covered in detail in the Recalls and Controversies section.

Skittles does not carry independent sustainability certifications such as organic, Fair Trade, or non-GMO. The brand's sustainability profile is tied to Mars' corporate-level initiatives rather than brand-specific certifications.

Skittles has faced significant controversies related to ingredient safety, particularly the use of titanium dioxide and artificial food colors.

Titanium Dioxide Controversy (2016 to 2026): Mars committed in 2016 to remove titanium dioxide from all its products within five years, by 2021. Titanium dioxide is a white pigment used to create the bright coating on Skittles. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified titanium dioxide as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." The European Union banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in 2022. Mars missed its 2021 deadline, and the Center for Food Safety reported that Mars staff indicated the company would not honor its commitment until U.S. law required action. In July 2022, a California consumer named Jenile Thames filed a lawsuit against Mars alleging that Skittles contained a "known toxin" that made the candy "unfit for human consumption." The lawsuit was dismissed in 2023, with the court ruling that Mars had not violated California's consumer protection laws because the FDA permitted titanium dioxide as a food additive. However, the negative publicity and consumer advocacy pressure continued. In early 2026, Mars confirmed it had removed titanium dioxide from Skittles sold in the United States, nearly a decade after its original commitment.

Artificial Color Reformulation (2025): In August 2025, Mars announced plans to introduce natural colors to Skittles, M&M's, and Starburst by 2026. The company cited changing consumer preferences and regulatory developments, including the FDA's 2025 announcement of a phase-out of certain petroleum-based synthetic food dyes. However, Mars stopped short of committing to remove artificial colors from its entire portfolio, citing technical challenges with natural alternatives, including limited supply, higher costs, and impacts on shelf life and product appearance. Health advocacy groups criticized the partial approach, arguing for complete removal across all products.

Nanotechnology Concerns: The Center for Food Safety's research found that Skittles and other Mars candies contained nano-titanium dioxide, particles small enough to pass through cell membranes. This raised additional safety concerns beyond traditional food additive questions. The FDA does not have specific regulations for nanomaterials in food, creating a regulatory gap that consumer advocacy groups have highlighted.

Health and Nutrition Concerns: Skittles contain approximately 47 grams of sugar per 2.17-ounce serving, which exceeds the American Heart Association's recommended daily added sugar limit of 25 grams for women and 36 grams for men. Public health advocates have criticized Mars and other confectionery companies for marketing high-sugar products to children. Mars has responded by offering smaller portion sizes and committing to responsible marketing practices, but the brand continues to face scrutiny from health organizations.

Current Status: As of 2026, Mars has removed titanium dioxide from U.S. Skittles and is transitioning select products to natural colors. The company faces ongoing scrutiny from consumer advocacy groups and regulatory bodies regarding food additive safety. The Skittles titanium dioxide case has become a reference point in discussions about food additive regulation and the gap between U.S. and EU food safety standards.