A consumer is suing Mars Inc., the parent company of Skittles, alleging that the rainbow-colored candy contains a “known toxin,” making it “unfit for human consumption,” according to the lawsuit.
Attorneys for consumer Jenile Thames filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Thursday, alleging that the Skittles contained unsafe levels of titanium dioxide, according to USA Today.
Titanium dioxide is used to produce that artificial rainbow coloring that covers each Skittles candy.
In 2016, Mars Inc. announced its intention to remove titanium dioxide from its products over the next few years, according to a release from the Center for Food Safety.
However, titanium dioxide is still used in products such as Skittles to this day.
“While we do not comment on pending litigation, our use of titanium dioxide complies with FDA regulations,” Mars Inc. said in a statement to TODAY.
Thames is seeking damages that will be determined at trial for fraud and multiple violations of consumer protection laws in California.
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