:Skittles (confectionery)

{{nutritionalvalue

| name = Skittles

| image = Skittles-Louisiana-2003.jpg

| image_size = 220px

| caption =

| kJ = 1680

| protein = 0 g

| fat = 4.4 g

| satfat = 3.9 g

| transfat = 0 g

| monofat =

| polyfat =

| omega3fat =

| omega6fat =

| carbs = 90.7 g

| starch =

| sugars = 75.6 g

| lactose =

| fibre = 0 g

| sodium_mg = 15.1

| potassium_mg =

| vitA_ug = 0

| vitC_mg = 26

| thiamin_mg =

| riboflavin_mg =

| niacin_mg =

| pantothenic_mg =

| folate_ug =

| vitD_ug =

| vitE_mg =

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| iron_mg = 0

| magnesium_mg =

| phosphorus_mg =

| zinc_mg =

| calcium_mg = 0

| vitB6_mg =

| vitB12_ug =

| water =

| alcohol =

| caffeine =

| source = [https://web.archive.org/web/20090525061921/http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/sweets/5611/2 NutritionData]

| note = Amounts converted and rounded to be relative to 100 g serving.

}}

Skittles are multicolored fruit-flavored lentil-shaped candies produced and marketed by the Wrigley Company,{{cite web|title=Skittles|url=http://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/skittles.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903031743/http://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/skittles.aspx|archive-date=September 3, 2009|access-date=October 31, 2012|publisher=Wrigley}} a division of Mars Inc.

Skittles consist of hard sugar shells imprinted with the letter 'S', similar to M&M's which have the letter 'M'. The interior consists mainly of sugar, corn syrup, and hydrogenated palm kernel oil along with fruit juice, citric acid, and natural and artificial flavors. Skittles are sold in a variety of flavor collections, such as Tropical, Wild Berry, Smoothie, and Sour.

History and overview

Skittles were introduced in 1971 by Jack Candies, a British distributor for Mars, Incorporated. An animated television advertisement from 1974 bears the logo of the "Galaxy" company and is copyrighted by Jack Candies Ltd.{{cite AV media |people= |date=1974 |title=Classic 1970's Skittles Commercial |trans-title= |type=TV commercial |language= |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk3JSMqZudY |access-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810161234/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk3JSMqZudY |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |format= |time= |location= |publisher=Jack Candies Ltd |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |url-status=live }} Mars was granted a trademark from the U.S. Patent Office for the name Skittles in 1974.{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PYZeHOZVeoYC&dq=skittles+candy+1971&pg=PA1828-IA77 | title=Official Gazette of the United States Patent Office: Patents | date=1974 }}{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NcpaAAAAYAAJ&q=jack+candies+ltd+skittles | title=CI: Candy Industry and Confectioners Journal | date=1971 }}{{cite web|date=23 August 2005|title=SKITTLES Bite Size Candies Backgrounder|url=http://www.masterfoodsnews.com/products_detail.asp?prodId=157|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201183339/http://www.masterfoodsnews.com/products_detail.asp?prodId=157|archive-date=February 1, 2009|publisher=Mars North America Newsroom}} By 1979, Skittles became widely distributed throughout the U.S.{{cite web|title=Skittles|url=http://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/skittles.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090903031743/http://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/skittles.aspx|archive-date=September 3, 2009|access-date=July 28, 2012|publisher=Wrigley}} In 1982, production of Skittles began in the United States. Mars' Wrigley division acquired the Skittles company in 2008.

The name of the candy, Skittles, comes from the sports game of the same name, named as such for the resemblance of the sweet to items used in the game.

Skittles' "taste the rainbow" theme was created by the New York ad agency D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles.{{cite news|last=Ives|first=Nat|title=Skittles overhauls a familiar theme to encourage experiencing the candy, not just tasting it|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/09/business/media-business-advertising-skittles-overhauls-familiar-theme-encourage.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 9, 2004|access-date=February 20, 2017|archive-date=February 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227180305/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/09/business/media-business-advertising-skittles-overhauls-familiar-theme-encourage.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|url-status=live}}

File:Skittles are amazing.jpg

On March 2, 2009, Skittles launched a web-based marketing campaign where the official website became a small overlay with options to view different social media sites in the main area, including its official YouTube channel, a Facebook profile, and a Twitter account.{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123604377921415283 |title=Skittles Cozies Up to Social Media |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=March 3, 2009 |first=Emily |last=Steel |access-date=August 8, 2017|url-access=subscription}} The move was debated by people interested in social media.{{cite web|last=Capell|first=Kerry|date=March 8, 2009|title=When Skittles Met Twitter|url=http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/mar2009/ca2009038_020385.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309193022/http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/mar2009/ca2009038_020385.htm|archive-date=March 9, 2009|work=BusinessWeek}}{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/03/11/twitter-friendfeed-skittles-leadership-cmo-network-skittles.html |title=Skittles' Stupid Social Media Trick |work=Forbes |date=March 12, 2009 |first=Laurie |last=Burkitt |access-date=September 11, 2017 |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227180308/https://www.forbes.com/2009/03/11/twitter-friendfeed-skittles-leadership-cmo-network-skittles.html |url-status=live }}

In 2009, the production of Skittles ceased using animal-derived gelatin, making them suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and certain religious groups.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vegknowledge.com/vegan/are-skittles-vegan/|title=Are Skittles Vegan? All Flavors Evaluated (2019)|last=Braden|date=2019-07-30|website=Veg Knowledge|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-21|archive-date=2023-02-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227180308/https://www.vegknowledge.com/vegan/are-skittles-vegan/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Yacoubou |first1=Jeanne |title=New Formulation Skittles Are Gelatin-Free; Starbursts & GummiBursts Contain Non-Kosher Gelatins |url=https://www.vrg.org/blog/2010/12/30/new-formulation-skittles-are-gelatin-free-starbursts-gummibursts-contain-non-kosher-gelatins/ |publisher=The Vegetarian Resource Group |access-date=21 August 2019 |date=December 30, 2010 |archive-date=27 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227180337/https://www.vrg.org/blog/2010/12/30/new-formulation-skittles-are-gelatin-free-starbursts-gummibursts-contain-non-kosher-gelatins/ |url-status=live }}

Skittles were involved in two political incidents in the 2010s. In the aftermath of the killing of Trayvon Martin, protestors used Skittles, which Martin had reportedly been carrying along with Arizona watermelon fruit-flavored juice drink, as a symbol during rallies. Though Mars' brief statement of condolences was criticized by some outlets, such as Adweek, for being too subdued, Mars' response in 2016 to a Skittles-based image macro (which was posted by Donald Trump Jr. on his Twitter feed as an analogy for immigration) was praised for its tact and directness. MWWPR said Mars' responses could influence public relations best practices.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2016/09/22/skittles-gave-the-perfect-response-to-donald-trump-jr/ |title=Skittles can't seem to escape political controversies |last=McGregor |first=Jena |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=September 22, 2016 |archive-date=September 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922201617/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2016/09/22/skittles-gave-the-perfect-response-to-donald-trump-jr/ |url-status=live }}

In 2016, Skittles faced controversy over temporarily changing the color of the candies from the signature rainbow appearance to white in support of Pride month, LGBT rights and London Pride. The Wrigley Company, a separate representing party of the Skittles brand, mass-produced the limited-edition colorless candies.{{cite news |title=Skittles packets have ditched their colours - and it's for one very important reason |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/skittles-packets-ditched-colours-its-8310422 |access-date=24 October 2020 |work=Mirror |date=29 June 2016 |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231120144429/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/skittles-packets-ditched-colours-its-8310422 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Beltrone |first1=Gabriel |url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/skittles-sheds-its-rainbow-celebrate-london-pride-172303/ |title=Skittles Sheds Its Rainbow to Celebrate London Pride |publisher=Adweek |date=29 June 2016 |access-date=3 February 2020|url-access=subscription}} Skittles' rainbow themed packaging had also been altered temporarily to complement the achromatic confectionery within. On the back of each monochrome package, the Wrigley Company included an explanation for the company's marketing decision: "So this is kind of awkward, but we're just gonna go ahead and address the rainbow-colored elephant in the room. You have the rainbow... we have the rainbow... and usually that's just hunky-dory. But this Pride, only one rainbow deserves to be the centre of attention - yours. And we're not going to be the ones to steal your rainbow thunder, no siree." However, the message was met with confusion in some areas, with The Huffington Post publishing an article titled "Some People Think Skittles' All-White Pride Candies Are Racist", exploring the idea that by going all-white, the company failed to acknowledge the diversity defined by the LGBT community.{{Cite news|date=16 June 2017|title=Some People Think Skittles' All-White Pride Candies Are Racist|publisher=HuffPost|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/skittles-all-white-pride-month_us_5943ffcce4b0f15cd5bae4bc|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=9 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009145015/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/skittles-all-white-pride-month_us_5943ffcce4b0f15cd5bae4bc|url-status=live}}

Every June, Skittles repeats the colorless marketing to spread Pride awareness and raise proceeds for an LGBT charity, such as the Switchboard helpline in the United Kingdom.{{cite news |title=How Switchboard continued to support LGBTQ+ people during the pandemic |url=https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/in-partnership-with/how-switchboard-continued-to-support-lgbtq-people-during-the-pandemic/ |access-date=24 October 2020 |work=Gay Times |date=17 July 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924050643/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/in-partnership-with/how-switchboard-continued-to-support-lgbtq-people-during-the-pandemic/ |url-status=live }} For the 2020 Pride edition, Skittles changed the candy colors from a rainbow to all gray in the United States, with the tagline "Only one rainbow matters during PRIDE".{{Cite web|last=Ebrahimji|first=Alisha|date=2020-05-22|title=Skittles ditches the rainbow to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community for Pride Month|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/22/us/colorless-skittles-pride-trnd/index.html|access-date=2021-09-07|website=CNN|archive-date=2021-07-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723155835/https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/22/us/colorless-skittles-pride-trnd/index.html|url-status=live}} However, the white color continued to be used in countries such as the United Kingdom.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Skittles' marketing has become known for its avant-garde viral marketing techniques, particularly in conjunction with the Super Bowl. In 2018, it produced a Super Bowl commercial that was viewed by only one person.{{cite web |last1=Nudd |first1=Tim |title=The Kid Who Watched Skittles' Super Bowl Ad Reveals What Happened in It |url=https://www.adweek.com/creativity/the-kid-who-watched-skittles-super-bowl-ad-reveals-what-happened-in-it/ |website=Adweek |access-date=28 June 2019 |date=5 February 2018 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509024923/https://www.adweek.com/creativity/the-kid-who-watched-skittles-super-bowl-ad-reveals-what-happened-in-it/ |url-status=live }} In 2019, it conducted a pre-Super Bowl campaign featuring Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical, which was performed one time only at The Town Hall in New York City.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/30/theater/skittles-musical-super-bowl-michael-c-hall.html|title=Who Needs a Super Bowl Ad? Skittles Ups the Ante With a Broadway Musical|last=Soloski|first=Alexis|date=2019-01-30|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-02-10|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2019-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212012010/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/30/theater/skittles-musical-super-bowl-michael-c-hall.html|url-status=live}}

Skittles are commonly used to effectively treat hypoglycemia in diabetics.{{Cite journal |last1=Husband |first1=Allison C |last2=Crawford |first2=Susan |last3=McCoy |first3=Lesley A |last4=Pacaud |first4=Danièle |date=2009-08-03 |title=The effectiveness of glucose, sucrose, and fructose in treating hypoglycemia in children with type 1 diabetes |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1399-5448.2009.00558.x |journal=Pediatric Diabetes |language=en |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=154–158 |doi=10.1111/j.1399-5448.2009.00558.x |pmid=19663922 |s2cid=12008993 |access-date=2023-02-22 |archive-date=2023-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227180304/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1399-5448.2009.00558.x |url-status=live }}

The European Union's top food regulators found in 2021 that titanium dioxide, an additive found in Skittles, could damage DNA, which in turn could lead to cancer.{{Cite web |date=2021-05-12 |title=Study: Additive found in Skittles and Starburst no longer considered safe {{!}} Environmental Working Group |url=https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2021/05/study-additive-found-skittles-and-starburst-no-longer-considered |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=www.ewg.org |language=en}} This resulted in the EU phasing out the sale of Skittles and other foods containing titanium dioxide starting February 7, 2022, with a full ban enacted August 7, 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=European Union: Titanium Dioxide Banned as a Food Additive in the EU {{!}} USDA Foreign Agricultural Service |url=https://fas.usda.gov/data/european-union-titanium-dioxide-banned-food-additive-eu |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=fas.usda.gov |language=en}}

In July 2022, a lawsuit seeking class-action status was filed in California regarding the continued use of titanium dioxide as a coloring agent.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2022/07/18/skittles-lawsuit-toxin-titanium-dioxide/ |title=Skittles lawsuit claims 'toxin' makes it 'unfit for human consumption' |last=Heil |first=Emily |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 18, 2022 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719231555/https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2022/07/18/skittles-lawsuit-toxin-titanium-dioxide/ |url-status=live }} The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice in November 2022.{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2022/11/08/skittles-lawsuit-that-claimed-candy-contained-toxin-is-dismissed/ |title=Lawsuit claiming Skittles are 'unfit' for consumption due to toxin dismissed |agency=Reuters |publisher=New York Post |date=November 8, 2022 |access-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109002559/https://nypost.com/2022/11/08/skittles-lawsuit-that-claimed-candy-contained-toxin-is-dismissed/ |url-status=live }}

In March 2023, Democratic California Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel introduced a bill to the California Assembly that would ban production, sales, and consumption of all foods and drinks (including Skittles, Pez, Sour Patch Kids, Campbell Soup, etc.) that contain titanium dioxide and four other harmful additives (which are propylparaben, red dye 3, brominated vegetable oil, and potassium bromate) across the state of California, all five of which have been linked to causing cancer and other health problems and at least three of these five harmful additives are already banned by the European Union from being used in food and drink products. If passed, California would become the first US state to adopt the European Union's ban on titanium dioxide and other cancer-causing chemical additives from being used in food and drink products.{{cite web | url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/399551/california-could-ban-skittles-sour-patch-kids-and-campbells-soup-over-additives/ | title=California could ban Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, and Campbell's soup over additives | website=Washington Examiner| access-date=2025-04-01 | archive-date=2024-08-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831231959/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/399551/california-could-ban-skittles-sour-patch-kids-and-campbells-soup-over-additives/| url-status=live |author-first1=Misty|author-last1=Severi|date=17 March 2023}}

Varieties

Skittles are produced in a wide variety of flavors and colors, including sour varieties. Skittles has hinted at new flavor releases on its Facebook page, using such statuses as "Locking myself in the Rainbow kitchen until I see some results!" A 2011 posting contained confirmation of a new flavor: "Putting the last touches on a new Skittles flavor. Tweak the Rainbow."{{cite web|author=Skittles|date=January 1, 2011|title=Putting the last...|url=http://www.facebook.com/skittles/posts/119249298144659 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/7914733474/119249298144659 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|website=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}

In the United States and Canada, in 2013, Skittles replaced the lime-flavored Skittles with green apple, causing a backlash from many consumers. The lime flavor became part of the Darkside packets, which were discontinued in 2015 and followed up by the Orchards packets, which were discontinued in 2017. Lime was also part of the "Long Lost Lime" packets that came out in summer 2017 and 2018. The Darkside flavor was revived in 2019. In 2021, the "All Lime" packets containing only the lime flavor were released for a limited time.{{Cite web|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Caitlyn|date=2021-05-19|title=Skittles Just Unveiled a New Pack That Only Consists of the Lime Flavor|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/skittles-just-unveiled-pack-only-180200958.html|access-date=2021-09-07|website=www.yahoo.com|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907012642/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/skittles-just-unveiled-pack-only-180200958.html|url-status=live}} In September 2021, Skittles announced that the green apple-flavored Skittles would be replaced with the original lime flavor.{{Cite web|url=https://thetakeout.com/lime-skittles-are-coming-back-permanently-1847751818|title=Lime Skittles are coming back permanently|date=27 September 2021|access-date=27 September 2021|archive-date=27 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927205826/https://thetakeout.com/lime-skittles-are-coming-back-permanently-1847751818|url-status=live}} In 2022, Skittles Gummies were released.{{cite web|url=https://www.skittles.com/gummies|title=Our Gummy Candy Products SKITTLES®|date=October 16, 2022|access-date=October 16, 2022|archive-date=October 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016212036/https://www.skittles.com/gummies|url-status=live}} In October 2024, Skittles released their own version of freeze-dried Skittles called Skittles POP'd. It comes in the Original and Sour Skittles flavors.{{Cite web |title=Mars Wrigley Debuts Skittles POP'd {{!}} Food Engineering |url=https://www.foodengineeringmag.com/articles/102587-mars-wrigley-debuts-skittles-popd |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=www.foodengineeringmag.com |language=en}}

File:Skittles-Wrapper-Small.jpg|Original Skittles

File:Skittles-Tropical-Small.jpg|Tropical Skittles, released in 1989

File:Skittles-Wild-Berry-Wrapper-Small.jpg|Wild Berry Skittles, released in 1989

File:Sour-Skittles-Wrapper-Small.png|Sour Skittles, released in 2001

File:Smoothies-Skittles-Wrapper-Small.webp|Smoothies Skittles, released in 2020