Mars plans to debut an artificial dye-free version of M&M's in August, The Wall Street Journal first reported.
The new version will not include the full classic color mix at first.
The dye-free M&M's will launch in red, yellow, orange, and green, according to the WSJ report. Blue and brown will be omitted from the initial release.
The problem is blue.
Mars has been working to replace synthetic dyes with colors from natural sources, but creating a reliable blue at a huge scale has been difficult and expensive, the Journal reported.
The company selected spirulina, a blue-green algae, as a natural substitute for blue dye. But the ingredient has created manufacturing headaches, including clogged equipment and uneven coloring, according to the Journal.
Brown is also a challenge because it relies on blue coloring in the mix.
The dye-free version will be sold first as an Amazon exclusive, while traditional six-color M&M's made with artificial dyes will remain available in stores.
Mars is aiming to recreate all six classic colors with natural ingredients by 2028, the Journal reported.
The change comes as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushes food companies to remove synthetic dyes and other artificial ingredients as part of his Make America Healthy Again agenda.
Delish reported in 2025 that Mars Wrigley North America planned to begin offering versions of some major products without FD&C artificial colors in 2026, including M&M's Chocolate, Skittles Original, Starburst Original fruit chews, and Extra Gum Spearmint.
M&M's was introduced in 1941, according to the brand’s Wikipedia entry. The candy became known for its hard shell, colorful coating, and lowercase m printed on each piece.
The new launch comes as the brand marks its 85th year.
For fans worried about the original version, the change is not a full replacement, at least for now. The classic bags are staying on shelves while Mars tries to solve the color puzzle.
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