Lawsuit claiming Skittles are unfit to eat is dismissed
Reuters
Published Nov 08, 2022 01:03PM ET
By Jonathan Stempel
(Reuters) - A California man who claimed Skittles are "unfit for human consumption" because they contained a known toxin has dismissed his federal lawsuit against Mars Inc, the candy maker.
Jenile Thames voluntarily dismissed his case on Monday, according to a filing by his lawyers in Oakland, California.
No reason was given for the dismissal, which was without prejudice, meaning Thames can sue again. His lawyers did not immediately respond on Tuesday to requests for comment.
Mars was accused in the July 14 lawsuit of endangering Skittles eaters by using "heightened levels" of titanium dioxide, a compound that the privately held company had pledged in 2016 to phase out over five years.
Though many foods contain titanium dioxide to add color, various studies have over the years questioned its safety.
The European Union this year banned its use as a food additive because it could damage DNA.
Mars, based in McLean, Virginia, on Sept. 30 sought to dismiss Thames' lawsuit.
It said its use of "small amounts" of titanium dioxide did not harm the plaintiff, and complied with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations.
"We are pleased with this outcome and reiterate our commitment to manufacturing our products in compliance with strict quality and safety requirements," Mars said in a statement on Tuesday about the lawsuit's dismissal.
Thames, of San Leandro, California, said he had bought Skittles in April at a local QuikStop, and would not have done so had he known their contents.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.