The rarest M&M color is undoubtedly white. This is a color that has only been available for a limited amount of time since it first came about in a 2001 special edition of the sweet. White was only available for three limited releases and then again during the Winter Color White promotion in 2015.
While some of the other colors, like gold and blue, have had limited availability at times, they have come back around and so they are not the rarest. White, however, remains to this day the most uncommon and sought-after color of M&M.
Why are M&M colors not equal?
M&M’s are produced using an automated process and machine, so the ratio of colors is always changing. The ratio of the various colors of M&M’s is determined by the ratio of “shell billings” sold to the candy manufacturer by the M&M’s parent company, Mars Inc.
The larger the sale of a certain color of “shell billing,” the more of that particular color you will find in the overall production. The classic package of M&M’s distributed in the United States, which includes the classic colors of red, yellow, green, brown, orange, and blue, came into being in 1995, and the exact ratio of the classic colors of M&M’s differs from other regions around the world.
Additionally, the size and shape of the machines used have a bearing on the size and shape of the shells, and the size of the individual M&M’s will differ depending on the make and model of the machine that are used.
As a result, it’s not surprising that the ratio of M&M colors may not always be equal.
Why did M&M get rid of purple?
M&M’s removed their purple candies from their lineup of classic colors back in October of 2016. This decision was part of an effort by the company to keep their products fresh, modern and relevant to their target audience.
The idea was to create a more definitive color palette that would enhance the M&M’s brand. The six colors chosen were the traditional Red, Yellow, Blue, Brown, Orange and Green, which had been the primary colors used in the company’s packaging, advertising and promotional items since they were first introduced in 1941.
The company also believed that, by removing the purple candies and focusing on the classic colors, they could create a better and more continual customer experience. Ultimately, M&M felt that the decision to remove the purple candies would not only improve the overall palette, but would also make the product line more recognizable and appealing to the general public.
Why did M&M Stop making blue?
M&M’s discontinued the iconic blue color due to the removal of the artificial food dye, FD&C Blue No. 1, from its list of ingredients. The decision to remove the blue candy from its shelves was due to the potential health risks associated with artificial dyes.
In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority reviewed the safety of food colorings and determined that the consumption of FD&C Blue No. 1 posed potential health threats. As a result, many food companies stopped using artificial dyes in their products, including M&M’s.
Despite the fact that removing FD&C Blue No. 1 was done out of an abundance of caution, some consumers have expressed disappointment over the loss of the beloved blue candy.
Why did red M&Ms disappear?
The red M&M’s candy was discontinued in the late 1970s because of safety concerns surrounding the food coloring FD&C Red No. 2. The food dye was thought to cause cancer in laboratory rats and mice, and the company decided to discontinue the red variety of its candy in American and Canadian markets.
Red M&M’s were widely available in other countries, where the food dye was not banned.
Following the successful launch of the blue M&M in 1995, Mars, the maker of the M&M’s, launched a public campaign to bring red M&M’s back in the United States by asking people to write in and vote for their favorite M&M color.
The red M&M received the most votes, and in 2004, the company announced it would be re-introducing the original red M&M. The new red M&M was made with a safer food coloring, Allura Red AC, and was back on store shelves by 2005.
Why did they get rid of the tan M&Ms?
The decision to discontinue the tan M&M’s came about as part of Mars’s ongoing effort to offer consumers the best overall M&M’s experience. Tan was the least popular of all the colors offered, so it was decided that it would be removed to make room for some more exciting flavors, colors and shapes.
In addition, market research showed that the more vibrant colors had more graphical appeal and elicited a more positive consumer response. Ultimately, this allowed the brand to continue to remain relevant and to satisfy consumer demand by providing a more visually stimulating product.
What happened blue M&M?
The blue M&M character is known as “Bluestar”, and he has been part of the M&M’s brand since 1995. His original design featured a unique combination of bright and cool blues, making him distinctive among the other characters in the lineup.
Since then, the blue M&M has continued to make himself a beloved part of the M&M’s family. His most recent and most popular design was launched in 2012 and featured a 3-D profile of him pointing his finger and striking a confident pose, making him look even more iconic.
He is also known for his signature phrase “I’m gonna getcha good!” Bluestar has also been featured in commercials and even has his own comic book mini-series. Bluestar has been the poster-boy of the M&M’s brand for the past few decades, unofficially standing in for the entire M&M’s family and delighting fans with his charisma and wit.
What color did blue M&M replace?
In 1995, Mars, Inc changed the color of the blue M&M to navy blue, replacing the former ‘light blue-gray’ color. Before that, in 1976, they changed the hue to indigo, replacing a much lighter hue of blue.
The color changes have primarily been to keep up with rival candy manufacturers and the color trends of the time. The company has had special promotional versions of the candy in other colors, such as green in 1996, yellow in 2000, and orange in 2005.
The original color of the blue M&M is not known for certain, although many sources report that it was light blue-gray. However, because the original M&Ms were produced in 1941, and food coloring technology has advanced considerably since then, it is difficult to say for sure what the original color was.
What color were M&Ms discontinued?
M&Ms were initially created in 1941 and were available in only one color: brown. When WWII started, the company had to halt production as the necessary ingredients could not be sourced. After the war, production resumed and the classic brown color was the only available color until 1949 when M&Ms added tan to its color palette.
The addition of tan was followed by the addition of green in 1976, then blue in 1995, followed by purple in 2000, orange and red in 2002, and yellow was added in 2006.
M&Ms have also discontinued some colors over the years. The discontinued colors included tan in 1954, red in 1976, and bronze and two different shades of blue in the 2000s.
Overall, tan was the first color discontinued by M&Ms, followed by red in 1976, bronze in 2002, and two shades of blue in the 2000s.
Was the green M&M a guy?
No, the green M&M has never been depicted as a guy or female, as it is merely a mascot for the brand. The green M&M was created to represent the original colors of the candy, which was brown, yellow, red, and green.
Since its introduction in 1954, the mascot has become a beloved symbol of the M&M brand. The green M&M character has been the subject of several popular commercials, but the candy itself remains gender neutral.
The mascot is more of an icon to represent the brand rather than a specific character with distinct traits.
Was there a purple M and M?
Yes, there have been various iterations of a purple M&M during the decades since the characters were introduced in the early 1990s. The first iteration of a purple M&M appeared in 1995 wearing an open zippered vest and walking a skunk in advertisements.
In 2005, the long-running mascots – Red, Yellow, and Blue – were joined by a new M&M, Ms. Purple. The new female character was designed to provide a “balance of the gender equation” and highlighted the variety in the M&M’s product line.
After brief stints, both the walking skunk and Ms. Purple were dropped from the M&M family. In 2017, Another iteration of the Purple M&M was introduced in an ad campaign featuring a sassy, swashbuckling pirate.
However, the pirate version was short lived and was replaced by a new character, “Gemma,” in 2019. Gemma, who wears glasses and a purple dress, was the breakout character from the campaign and is the M&M currently symbolizing the color purple.
What Colour M&Ms did not exist from 1976 to 1987?
From 1976 to 1987, the M&M’s color palette did not include three colors: tan, light blue, and purple. Prior to 1976, M&M’s were available in just five colors: red, orange, yellow, green, and brown. These five classic colors were added to by blue in 1995, pink in 1997, and tan, purple, and orange-yellow in 2003.
The lighter shades of these three colors all disappeared after 2012, though.
When did light brown M&Ms go away?
Light brown M&Ms were first introduced in 1976, during a time when the M&Ms brand was expanding its line of colors. However, the color was discontinued for a period of time after that with yellow becoming the only color that represented the classic look of the M&Ms.
In the mid-90s, a survey was conducted asking customers to vote for their favorite colors, and light brown was brought back as part of an eight-color collection. Since then, the light brown M&M has been edging its way back into circulation as an occasional flavor in promotional packages and holiday editions, but it has never been a part of the standard collection of colors that customers routinely find in stores.
What happens if you find a gray M&M?
If you find a gray M&M, it could signal one of a few different things. First, it could be an indication that the M&Ms have been exposed to higher temperatures over time and the color of the candy shell has changed.
In some cases, this discoloration is caused by a reaction between the candy coating and the oils in the actual chocolate. As a result, the color of the diamond shapes may start to fade or turn gray.
Alternatively, you may have found a gray M&M because it has been manufactured incorrectly from the beginning, with a gray coating instead of the usual color of brown, blue, yellow, red, or orange. An incorrect color is usually the result of a bad batch of candy or machine malfunction during the manufacturing process.
In any case, gray M&Ms are generally safe to eat, although it’s best to check the expiration date just to be sure.
How many colors of M&M’s are there?
There are currently eight colors of M&M’s offered in their signature blend: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown, tan and purple. These colors have been around since the 1970s and have actually been around in some form since the 1940s.
In addition to these classic colors, M&M’s has added seasonal and special edition colors, such as pink hearts, pastel and metallic colors, glow-in-the-dark colors, and glow-in-the-dark glitter colors.
Limited edition colors have included light blue and lime green.