Have you ever held a red skittle in your sweaty hand for so long that the color started to melt off and coat your fingers? Well, that chemical is called red dye No. 3, and it’s toxic according to a California bill aiming to ban it, along with a host of other toxic food chemicals.


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Last week, Assembly Bill 418 passed through the California State Assembly with an overwhelming majority. It is now on its way to the Senate where it is expected to pass as well. The Bill would ban that red Skittles’ dye, and many other toxic chemicals found in foods like Hot Tamales, and some Pez candies. According to the bill’s author Jesse Gabriel, those chemicals have been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and developmental issues in children. They are already banned in Europe.



As evidenced by M&M’s high-profile rebranding, Americans are quite particular about their candies. It looks like Skittles is no exception to the rule, and people everywhere are furious that the government is coming for the artificial red dye covering one flavor of their third favorite candy.


“I was fine with them taking my guns,” @Caroline_452 commented. “But banning Skittles is waaaay over the line.”






While many Twitter commenters are fighting hard to keep Skittles as they are, plenty of others are upset that Skittles’ “Taste the Rainbow” slogan actually refers to poisoning yourself with candy.




Unless you consume Marshawn Lynch levels of red Skittles, it’s hard to see this ban having any effect on you. Let’s just hope they don’t start giving the flavors personalities like a different small multi-colored candies.