New Mexico
New Mexico is starting to turn its attention to what’s inside packaged foods, especially those marketed to children. A group of state legislators is drafting a bill that would ban additives considered harmful to health, like titanium dioxide and synthetic dyes. Skittles, which contains both, has become an easy target for criticism. Health advocates are pushing hard to make sure New Mexico aligns with more stringent food safety standards seen abroad. School boards and local municipalities are beginning to back the movement, especially in districts promoting better childhood nutrition. If the new laws move forward, Mars, Inc. may have to rethink how it sells candy in the state—or stop selling some products entirely.