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Mars Wrigley controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

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  1. 2023

    M&M's character advertising controversy

    The redesign and revised personalities of M&M's animated characters became the subject of intense political and media criticism in the United States. Mars Wrigley paused the campaign and shifted to a Maya Rudolph-led advertisement. The controversy was a marketing dispute and did not change Mars Wrigley's ownership or operating status.

    Source

  2. 2021

    Mars Wrigley recalled M&M’s Crispy products

    Recall announced

    Mars Wrigley recalled several batch codes of M&M’s Crispy products after a supplier-produced ingredient was found to contain a genetically modified organism that was not authorized for the ingredient under UK law.

    Company response

    • Investigation — Mars

      Mars said it had undertaken “a thorough tracing exercise” to determine the locations of the affected products.

    • Remediation — Mars

      “We can also confirm we have halted all production using the affected ingredient and have placed a hold on all products made with the impacted batch,” it added.

    Source excerpt

    • Mars Wrigley is recalling a batch of its M&M’s Crispy products due to the presence of a genetically modified organism (GMO).
    • “Further, there is no GMO authorised for this ingredient under UK law and so the products must be recalled,” it added.
    • “We can also confirm we have halted all production using the affected ingredient and have placed a hold on all products made with the impacted batch,” it added.
    Source

  3. 2021

    Mars Wrigley files lawsuits over alleged cannabis-product trademark infringement

    Lawsuit filed

    Mars Wrigley filed lawsuits in the United States and Canada alleging that sellers of cannabis products used its candy brands and trademarks without authorization. The suits seek injunctions, and one seeks $2 million for each counterfeit trademark tied to the California case.

    Source excerpt

    • A lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Chicago names a California company called Terphogz, which has allegedly used the name “Zkittlez” to sell cannabis and CBD flower, as well as clothing and drug paraphernalia.
    • In response, Skittles’ parent company, Mars Wrigley, pushed back this week in a series of lawsuits — including one filed in federal court in Chicago — alleging the companies selling those pot products and others are infringing on its trademarks.
    • Both federal lawsuits seek injunctions against the defendants and look to shut down their web presence. Mars Wrigley is seeking $2 million for each counterfeit trademark tied to the California suit, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs in both cases.
    Source