Lawsuit Claims Skittles Are ‘Unfit For Human Consumption’ (Tell Us Something We Didn’t Know)

Maybe you shouldn’t taste the rainbow after all, at least not if you know what’s good for you. That’s because a consumer has claimed that Skittles are “are unfit for human consumption” and is suing the colorful candy’s maker, Mars, Incorporated.

The claimant is named Jenile Thames and he filed the lawsuit in Oakland, California, last week. In court documents obtained by NBC News, he alleges that the cavity-inducing treats contain “heightened levels” of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and that Mars “has long known of the health problems posed” by the chemical compound, which is used as a coloring additive and is a carcinogen.

Of course Mars denies that there’s anything amiss about Skittles. “While we do not comment on pending litigation, our use of titanium dioxide complies with FDA regulations,” the company claimed in a statement to Today. That said, Mars also added that it is “committed to phasing out” the TiO2 in Skittles – a commitment it made back in February of 2016 but has yet to follow through on.

Other countries like France have all out banned the ingredient after the European Food Safety Authority declared that TiO2 “could not be considered safe for consumption.” Apparently, the compound can cause genotoxicity, which is when a chemical is able to change DNA. Yikes! And here we thought the only thing Skittles changed about you was the color of your tongue!

In addition to being used in food products, TiO2 is also found in adhesives, paints, printer ink, plastics, and roofing materials. Hmm…tasty!

So…maybe steer clear of Skittles if you value your health? (Although if you’re pounding Skittles by the fistful, we’re guessing your health is not at the forefront of your mind.)

As for Thames, he says he would not have purchased the candy if he had known TiO2 was an ingredient. And how did he not know? The ingredients are printed right there on the bag, after all. Well, he blames the “the contrast in color between the font and packaging.”

Hmm…yeah…no. Get yourself a pair of glasses, pal, if you really want to read the ingredients on candy packages. (Who does that?)

For the non-litigious sweet tooth out there who really cares about their body, you might want to check out an organic treat called Giggles. As for the rest of you, enjoy Skittles at your own risk.

Cover Photo: NurPhoto / Contributor (Getty Images)