Latest news with #M&Ms
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘When did people get so frightened of ideas': Inside the final days of The Project
'The conventional wisdom was that the show wouldn't last six months because on paper, it's bonkers,' he says. 'But what it had was a spirit and an irreverent attitude that felt of this country and of this place. It chimes with the Australian character in so many ways.' Loading In recent weeks, commentators have suggested the program's declining ratings – due largely to shifting viewer habits driven by technological change – were a result of it being 'too woke'. Such claims were rubbished by Steve Price, who told the Herald Sun that he was both a 'conservative old white guy' and The Project's longest-serving panel member. 'You're not usually talking about people who've spent their time watching the show before forming a view,' Aly says of its more vocal critics, 'so then it becomes something independent of what the show actually is – an avatar, basically. Then people react to that avatar, or to headlines about the show, rather than the show itself. But the response [from viewers] has been overwhelmingly lovely.' Privately, some producers believe the increasingly hostile tenor of public debate – underpinned by an assumption that anyone with an opinion contrary to one's own is not just misguided but morally deficient – contributed to the cancellation of The Project and ABC's Q+A. It's a theme that Langbroek picks up on during Tuesday's episode. 'It's very unusual to [broadcast] work live now, and increasingly so as more and more people have gotten scared about expressing themselves,' she says. 'When this show is gone, I can't think of where that will happen … when did people get so frightened of ideas?' Soon, the conversation shifts to a lighter topic. 'There's a definite 'school muck-up day' vibe,' says a techie as he munches on one of the homemade sausage rolls Langbroek brought in for the team. Behind the desk, Langbroek is throwing M&Ms at Taunton's face during a break. After she lands one in his mouth, Harris crosses off 'Kate throws a lolly in Sam's mouth' from that evening's Project bingo card, which a producer created to brighten the mood ahead of Friday's farewell. 'We've got a different card for every night,' Harris says, pointing to other items on Tuesday's list including 'Sam's hair needs fixing' and 'Kate references a conspiracy theory'.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mars' acquisition of Pringles' maker triggers EU alarms
AI- Generative Image The European Union has launched an antitrust investigation into Mars' acquisition of Pringles' maker Kellanova, it announced on Wednesday, citing concerns of market price hikes. In a preliminary assessment, the European Commission said the multibillion-dollar deal between the two US-based snack makers would increase Mars' bargaining power against EU retailers. Announced last August, the $35.9 billion (roughly €31 billion) deal was meant to bring two new billion-dollar brands, Pringles and Cheez-It, into Mars' fold. Why is the EU concerned about the acquisition? The EU said alarmed retailers across the 27-nation bloc reached out, expressing concerns regarding Mars' increased bargaining power should the deal go through. "By acquiring Kellanova, Mars will add several very popular brands of potato chips and cereals to its already broad and strong product portfolio," EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said. Aside from Pringles, Kellanova also produces Kellogg's cereals. Citing inflation and high food prices across the continent, Ribera stressed the importance of ensuring "this acquisition does not further drive up the cost of shopping baskets." She added that the EU's in-depth investigation will assess the deal's impact on the price of products sold by both companies. Mars, which also makes popular snacks including M&Ms and Snickers, defended the acquisition, saying it would "deliver more choice and innovation to consumers." "We are disappointed yet remain optimistic that this investigation will be positively resolved," the company said in a statement, adding that it was cooperating with the investigation.
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- Toronto Sun
Texas law requiring warnings on M&Ms, Fanta signed by governor
Food companies now have until 2027 to eliminate more than 40 ingredients from their products sold in the state Published Jun 23, 2025 • 3 minute read Greg Abbott , governor of Texas. Photo by Bonnie Cash / Bloomberg Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that will require warning labels on products such as M&Ms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Fanta, sparking protest from the packaged-food industry. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Abbott's signature of Senate Bill 25 on Sunday represents a victory for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, which is looking to remove ingredients such as synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply. Food companies now have until 2027 to eliminate more than 40 ingredients, including artificial dyes and bleached flour, from their products sold in Texas. If they don't, they'll have to include a label on new packaging warning the product contains ingredients 'not recommended for human consumption' by other countries. Many, but not all, of the additives are banned or require warnings in other countries. The law creates a new requirement for packaged-food companies in a state with more than 31 million residents — the second-most populous in the US. Historically, state regulations have triggered national changes as companies look to streamline production. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Consumer Brands Association, which represents food companies, criticized the law, arguing it will 'drive consumer confusion and higher costs.' 'America's food supply is safe, and ingredients used in food and beverage products are rigorously studied following an objective science and risk-based evaluation process,' said John Hewitt, senior vice president of state affairs at the group, in an emailed statement. While companies have long maintained that all of their ingredients are safe, some have nonetheless started removing ingredients that government officials and activists have blamed for health problems such as hyperactivity, obesity and diabetes in children. Kraft Heinz Co. and General Mills Inc. recently announced they're taking synthetic dyes out of their US products by the end of 2027. Industry groups have said no formal agreement exists with the federal government on the matter, however. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As currently formulated, products including Coca-Cola Co.'s Fanta, PepsiCo Inc.'s Cheetos Crunchy and Nacho Cheese Doritos and Mars Inc.'s Skittles and M&Ms would be subject to the warning labels. So would Kellanova's Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts. Companies can avoid the label requirements for the targeted ingredients if the FDA or USDA declare them safe after Sept. 1. Additionally, if the agencies restrict an ingredient's use, require a warning label, or ban it outright after that same date, then that action would supersede the Texas regulation. If the federal government mandates labeling for 'ultra-processed or processed foods,' that would also supersede Texas' required labels. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Barring these conditions or new qualifications for the ingredients' use from the federal government, the warnings will be required on labels beginning in 2027. Questions remain in the industry about how the legislation will be implemented. The law applies for any food labeling copyrighted or developed beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, and under one interpretation, that means it only applies when a company next updates its packaging. Gary Huddleston, a grocery-industry consultant for the Texas Retailers Association, said companies will be able to wait until they reformulate a product or otherwise change their labels. Ingredients listed in the Texas law include BHT, a food additive, titanium dioxide, used for food coloring, and DATEM, an emulsifier. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Lawsuits from packaged-food producers are expected. 'I don't expect that to be the end of the debate here,' said Smitha Stansbury, a partner at King & Spalding's FDA and Life Sciences practice, predicting the law will be 'subject to litigation.' 'There's precedent for food companies to challenge this law under First Amendment grounds,' said Seth Mailhot, a partner at Husch Blackwell and the leader of the law firm's FDA group. The food industry has argued that the legislation is too broad. It has also criticized the idea of making policy based on foreign governments' classification of ingredients, as opposed to US or Texas regulators.
Mint
5 days ago
- Health
- Mint
Texas Law Requiring Warnings on Some Foods Signed by Governor
(Bloomberg) -- Texas legislation that will require warning labels on food and beverages such as M&Ms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Fanta will become law after Governor Greg Abbott signed the initiative. Abbott signed Senate Bill 25 on Sunday night — a victory for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, which is looking to remove ingredients such as synthetic dyes from the nation's food supply. Food companies, which have maintained that all of their ingredients are safe, now have until 2027 to eliminate more than 40 ingredients, including dyes and bleached flour, from their products sold in Texas. If they don't, they'll have to include a label on new packaging warning the product contains ingredients 'not recommended for human consumption' by other countries. Many, but not all, of the additives are banned or require warnings in other countries. The law creates a new requirement for packaged-food companies in a state with more than 31 million residents — the second-most populous in the US. Historically, state regulations have triggered national changes as companies look to streamline production. Companies have already started to mobilize amid pressure from the government and activists to remove ingredients that officials have blamed for health problems including hyperactivity, obesity and diabetes in children. Kraft Heinz Co. and General Mills Inc. recently announced the removal of synthetic dyes from their US products by the end of 2027. Industry groups have said no formal agreement exists with the federal government, however. As currently formulated, products including Coca-Cola Co.'s Fanta, PepsiCo Inc.'s Cheetos Crunchy and Nacho Cheese Doritos and Mars Inc.'s Skittles and M&Ms would be subject to the warning labels. So would Kellanova's Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tarts. Companies can avoid the label requirements for the targeted ingredients if the FDA or USDA declare them safe after Sept. 1. Additionally, if the agencies restrict an ingredient's use, require a warning label, or ban it outright after that same date, then that action would supersede the Texas regulation. If the federal government mandates labeling for 'ultra-processed or processed foods,' that would also supersede Texas' required labels. Barring these conditions or new qualifications for the ingredients' use from the federal government, the warnings will be required on labels beginning in 2027. Questions remain in the industry about how the legislation will be implemented. The law applies for any food labeling copyrighted or developed beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, and under one interpretation, that means it only applies when a company next updates its packaging. Gary Huddleston, a grocery-industry consultant for the Texas Retailers Association, said companies will be able to wait until they reformulate a product or otherwise change their labels. Ingredients listed in the Texas law include BHT, a food additive, titanium dioxide, used for food coloring, and DATEM, an emulsifier. Lawsuits from packaged-food producers are expected. 'I don't expect that to be the end of the debate here,' said Smitha Stansbury, a partner at King & Spalding's FDA and Life Sciences practice, predicting the law will be 'subject to litigation.' 'There's precedent for food companies to challenge this law under First Amendment grounds,' said Seth Mailhot, a partner at Husch Blackwell and the leader of the law firm's FDA group. The food industry has argued that the legislation is too broad. It has also criticized the idea of making policy based on foreign governments' classification of ingredients, as opposed to US or Texas regulators. --With assistance from Deena Shanker. More stories like this are available on
South Wales Argus
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Mars confirms White Maltesers returning after 'huge demand'
White Maltesers, which left the shelves 11 years ago, are officially coming back. They have recently been seen by shoppers, with some wondering if it was leading to an official return. Now Mars Wrigley, which is also responsible for M&Ms, Snickers, Skittles and, of course, Mars bars, has confirmed the news. A packet of the returning White Maltesers (Image: Mars Wrigley) Mars confirms White Maltesers returning after 'huge demand' White Maltesers were launched by Mars in 2003 in the UK. However, the chocolates were discontinued in 2014 due to "low sales". Since then, fans have been demanding the treat make a return, with multiple petitions even appearing online. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) said: "@MaltesersUK bring back the white chocolate Maltesers please." Another person posted: "Had a dream last night that white chocolate maltesers were back and I bought a whole crate of them." Discontinued UK Sweets/Chocolates Now, after what Mars Wrigley has said was "huge public demand", the popular snack is making its "long-awaited comeback". The new product combines the "classic Maltesers crunchy centre with a "thin layer of white chocolate". A spokesperson from Mars Wrigley said: 'We're delighted to bring Maltesers White Chocolate back for the passionate fans who have been anticipating their return for years. "Maltesers is all about encouraging people to look on the light side of life and so definitely try them if you've not done so before.' Fans excited for return of "all time favourite" White Maltesers White Maltesers have been spotted in some UK stores and shared on social media. Facebook account Newfoodsuk posted a picture of a packet with the caption: "Trying the new White Chocolate Maltesers, and yes they are as good as we remember." Fans rushed to the comments with excitement. One said: "I need them right this instant. They are my all-time favourite snack and wanted them back so much." Another said: "Ahhhh these are one of my favourite chocolates everrrrrr, where can I get these! I've been waiting years!!" A third joked: "Waited my whole life for these to come back." Recommended reading: Morrisons is already advertising white Maltesers in three different size packs on its website. Starting at a 30g pack for £1.05, there is also a 74g pack for £2.50 or a 126g sharing bag for £2.95. Maltesers White Chocolate will be widely available from June 16, Mars Wrigley said.
