Lawsuit against Skittles claims the candy is ‘unfit for human consumption’

[Elderberry]

Today by  Liz Calvario 7/15/2022

Mars, Incorporated is being sued for its use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in Skittles.

Mars, Incorporated is being sued by a consumer who claims that Skittles are “are unfit for human consumption.”

Consumer Jenile Thames filed the lawsuit in Oakland, California, on Thursday, claiming in court documents obtained by NBC News that the candy contains “heightened levels” of titanium dioxide (TiO2).

In a statement to TODAY, a Mars, Inc, spokesperson said, “While we do not comment on pending litigation, our use of titanium dioxide complies with FDA regulations.”

The lawsuit claims that the company “has long known of the health problems posed” by TiO2. It states that in February 2016, the company “committed to phasing out” the TiO2 in its product but has yet failed to do so.

More: https://www.today.com/food/news/skittles-unfit-human-consumption-new-lawsuit-claims-rcna38506

[Kamaji]

California; go figure.

[Hoodat]

The lawsuit claims that the company “has long known of the health problems posed” by TiO2.

There are no health problems posed by TiO₂.

[The_Reader_David]

On what basis does the plaintiff have standing?   Does Ms. Thames claim to have been personally harmed by consuming Skittles in a way that can be traced to the FDA-compliant levels of titanium dioxide they contain?

[mountaineer]

Don't eat 'em, toots. Problem solved.

[Wingnut]

Saint Travon of Skittles does not approve.

[GtHawk]

Skittles were first produced in 1974, brought to the US in 1979, they are sold in sixty countries around the world, and 200 million Skittles are produced a day. In production for 48 years and 73,000,000,000 produced a year and yet I have never heard of a single death attributed to Skittles in all that time.

[libertybele]

Saint Travon of Skittles does not approve.

Skittles are all the colors of the 'rainbow', so why the worries? 

[libertasbella]

On what basis does the plaintiff have standing?   Does Ms. Thames claim to have been personally harmed by consuming Skittles in a way that can be traced to the FDA-compliant levels of titanium dioxide they contain?

So long as Skittles pays her to F off with her widely reported lawsuit, she doesn't need a good standing.

[The_Reader_David]

So long as Skittles pays her to F off with her widely reported lawsuit, she doesn't need a good standing.

So you figure it's a speculation based on the assumption there is a no-zero chance the judge will not accept Mars, Inc.'s motion to dismiss based on lack of standing.

[Hoodat]

So you figure it's a speculation based on the assumption there is a no-zero chance the judge will not accept Mars, Inc.'s motion to dismiss based on lack of standing.

Seeing that Mars is not a publicly traded company, I believe there will be a bit more ego involved here fighting off this suit.

btw, I do agree with the plaintiff on one count:  Skittles aren't fit for human consumption.  Never understood why some people liked them.

[roamer_1]

Seeing that Mars is not a publicly traded company, I believe there will be a bit more ego involved here fighting off this suit.

btw, I do agree with the plaintiff on one count:  Skittles aren't fit for human consumption.  Never understood why some people liked them.

It might be argued that most of what is on store shelves is not fit for human consumption. Why single out Skittles?

[Hoodat]

It might be argued that most of what is on store shelves is not fit for human consumption.

For those who still use deer brains to tan hides, I see your point.

[roamer_1]

For those who still use deer brains to tan hides, I see your point.

You tan your hides else-wise? 

[Polly Ticks]

You tan your hides else-wise? 

My grandma used to use a razor strop to tan my hide. Does that count?

[Kamaji]

On what basis does the plaintiff have standing?   Does Ms. Thames claim to have been personally harmed by consuming Skittles in a way that can be traced to the FDA-compliant levels of titanium dioxide they contain?

This was filed in California court, so California standing law, not federal, applies.  California has much looser standing requirements, as per this article:  https://www.dailyjournal.com/mcle/374-the-exact-nature-of-california-s-standing-doctrine

Finally, the plaintiff does allege that he purchased the product and would not have done so if he had known that it included TiO2:

Per the lawsuit, Thames would not have purchased the Skittles if he had known it contained TiO2. He claims the ingredients on the candy are difficult to read due to the contrast in color between the font and packaging.

[Free Vulcan]

If we get rid of Skittles, how are Millennials going to take pics of their multicolored #2 in the toilet and post them on Instagram?

Let's stop that travesty before it begins.

[roamer_1]

My grandma used to use a razor strop to tan my hide. Does that count?

HA!

 

[heelboy22]

They were unfit for human consumption (the green ones at least) until they brought the lime flavor back.

[Elderberry]

October 27, 2016

https://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/press-releases/4550/top-candy-company-mars-commits-to-phasing-out-harmful-nanoparticles-from-food-products

Center for Food Safety urges fast action and broader commitment on removal

WASHINGTON— This week MARS Corp., maker of M&Ms and the top-selling candy company in the world, clarified and reiterated its commitment to remove harmful and potentially poisonous nanoparticles of titanium dioxide from its food products, including many popular candies. The clarification comes just in time for Halloween, when many unsuspecting consumers are treated to food additive “tricks” in candies and gums. In February, the company released a statement in which it committed to removing artificial colors from its food products over the next five years. But it was not clear at the time whether this included titanium dioxide, one of the most common chemicals used to engineer nanomaterials. Center for Food Safety pressed MARS on the issue and the company stated in an email that it is including titanium dioxide among the colorants it will remove from human food products.

The following is a statement from Jaydee Hanson, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Food Safety:

“We are pleased to see that MARS has taken a positive step toward eliminating toxic, unnecessary nanomaterials from its line of food products. We urge the company to speed up the removal of these additives, especially given the grave health concerns associated with titanium dioxide and other nanoparticles.

“Studies have shown that the human health risks associated with ingesting nanoparticles of many common food additives far outweigh any utility for producers. There are plenty of non-toxic alternatives available and we urge MARS and others to commit to not using any engineered nanomaterials in human and animal food products.”

More at link.

[DefiantMassRINO]

My neighbor just named her new puppy, Skittles.  Does this mean the ASPCA will take her puppy away and prosecute her for animal cruelty?

[Kamaji]

Apparently the EU got its collective panties in a twist because they couldn't prove a negative - that under any and all conditions that TiO2 was "safe" (whatever that word means in EU-parlance) - and therefore they raised a sh*tstorm about banning it.

[verga]

Seeing that Mars is not a publicly traded company, I believe there will be a bit more ego involved here fighting off this suit.

btw, I do agree with the plaintiff on one count:  Skittles aren't fit for human consumption.  Never understood why some people liked them.

Diabetic coma just waiting to happen.

[verga]

 

[Hoodat]

You tan your hides else-wise? 

Here's how those California city folk do it.