Latest news with #Skittles
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
In farewell letter, Jalen Green says he agrees with Houston's Kevin Durant trade
Jalen Green on Houston's Kevin Durant trade: 'This is a business, and if I was up there in the executive chair, I probably would've made the deal, too.' 'I really came here at 19 years old still eating Skittles before games, and I'm leaving here as a father. It's been a time, y'all.'@JalenGreen says goodbye to the @HoustonRockets. Jalen Green didn't want to be traded away from the Rockets in the deal that brought All-Star forward Kevin Durant to Houston. But the 23-year-old, drafted at No. 2 overall in the 2021 first round and now a starting guard for the Phoenix Suns, does understand it. In a self-authored Players Tribune article saying farewell to Houston, Green indicates that if he was somehow in the position of general manager Rafael Stone, he'd likely have made the same decision. Green writes: Listen, nobody likes to get traded. But I can honestly say that I get it, bro. This is a business, and if I was up there in the executive chair, I probably would've made the deal, too. I think it's a better situation for both sides, and I'm just excited to get it popping with Book (Devin Booker), and to create that winning culture that we figured out down here in Houston. After Green's first two NBA seasons featured 22 or fewer wins and spots at the bottom of the Western Conference standings, the Rockets improved to 52-30 and No. 2 in the West in 2024-25. Green was the leading scorer and clearly played a key role in that success, along with transitioning Houston out of its aforementioned rebuild. But given the presence of Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun as rising stars and quality veterans such as Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, the Rockets felt they were an elite perimeter scorer away from becoming a serious championship contender. Green might become that in time, but Durant is already that, at present. Thus, the trade, which came weeks after Green's underwhelming first-round series in the 2025 NBA playoffs. It's a move that earned high approval ratings for Stone and the Rockets, and one that makes so much sense that even Green seemingly understands it, himself. Green's complete article can be viewed here. More: Jalen Green reportedly determined to improve upon playoff struggles, stay in Houston
Techday NZ
a day ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
Skittles Cloudz launch dazzles Auckland commuters with colour
MARS has launched a new product, Skittles Cloudz, in New Zealand, accompanied by a digital campaign on the MetService website and a transformation at Britomart Station in Auckland. The new product introduces a "soft-format twist" on the established Skittles brand, offering consumers a chewy variant described as texturally distinct from the original sweets. MARS has promoted Skittles Cloudz with a multi-channel approach targeting commuters and online audiences during winter. Winter campaign As part of the campaign, Britomart Station, the busiest train hub in Auckland, underwent a visual makeover. This activation provided free samples to commuters and incorporated a "colour therapy experience" intended to counteract the effects of winter on mood. The visual elements drew inspiration from both colour and taste therapy, aiming to lift the spirits of Auckland rail users during the season's shortest days. The initiative also included a unique digital element: for a limited period, the MetService website displayed Skittles-themed weather updates. These updates presented typically straightforward weather information in a colourful, interactive format intended to stand out against the usual winter gloom. The campaign was designed to coincide with high rates of weather-checking during the colder months. According to MARS, this combination of visibility at physical locations and digital platforms is part of a broader strategy to reach consumers in both their daily commutes and online routines. Product launch details Skittles remains a popular choice among New Zealand consumers, with Kiwis purchasing more than one million bags of the original product last year. The launch of Skittles Cloudz marks the first new textural variant of the brand introduced in New Zealand since Skittles entered the market in 2003. The new product maintains the signature fruity flavours associated with Skittles while introducing a soft, bouncy texture. "Kiwis aren't just looking for new flavours, they want new textures too. The new product reflects growing demand for new sensory experiences in confectionery. It offers a soft, bouncy chew that's completely different to the original, but still delivers those familiar fruity notes that Skittles fans love." Shane Hammond from MARS highlighted the company's approach, stating, "Our takeover of Britomart Station was about more than just product, it's about creating a moment of brightness in people's everyday routine; connecting them with moments of everyday happiness." Consumer engagement The Britomart activation allowed Auckland commuters to be among the first in New Zealand to sample the new Skittles Cloudz. The digital takeover of MetService presented colourful weather updates which MARS described as designed to bring "an unexpected moment of cheer" for those checking forecasts during the winter months. Hammond emphasised the campaign's focus on well-being and small, positive sensory experiences: "We know that even small sensory experiences can make a difference to how people feel, especially during the darker months. If we can help bring a bit of joy and colour to someone's commute, then we've achieved something worthwhile." He continued, "At its core, this is a reminder that well-being doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes a burst of colour, a familiar taste or a light-hearted moment can help lift someone's day, and that's a powerful thing during winter." MARS' campaign integrates physical and digital engagement, reflecting shifts in consumer expectations regarding brand interactions and the use of online platforms beyond conventional retail environments. The activation also demonstrates the use of behavioural insights, such as seasonal mood and weather-checking habits, in designing marketing campaigns that seek to create "micro-moments of joy" throughout consumers' daily routines. Follow us on: Share on:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
McConnell: We can protect kids from THC and grow KY's hemp industry
Kids love candy. Even before they can read, young kids recognize the packaging of Skittles, LifeSavers and Oreos as an irresistible, sugary treat. But what if this familiar packaging instead concealed a candy laced with THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis? This unregulated, intoxicating phenomenon is putting our nation's kids in danger, and Kentucky is no exception. In the commonwealth alone, calls to the Poison Control Center about cannabis have more than doubled in the past five years, and 40% have been about children younger than age 12. Companies looking to make a quick buck have been exploiting a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill to take legal amounts of THC from hemp and turn it into intoxicating substances. These synthetic chemicals are then used as ingredients in appealing, candy-like products. Some products contain even higher THC levels than marijuana itself. Malicious actors knowingly market these seemingly harmless items to kids by using familiar packaging and similar branding names to normal snacks and sweets. Hemp-derived THC products are poisoning Kentucky's kids Tommy Loving, executive director of the Kentucky Narcotic Officers' Association, told me recently that, 'Hemp-derived Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC pose increasing concerns for both drug enforcement and youth safety. These products are widely available in vape shops and convenience stores with minimal regulation making them easily accessible to middle and high school students.' In a 2023 incident in Laurel County, a 15-year-old girl was hospitalized after eating what she thought was a piece of candy on her way to school. Earlier this year, a Jefferson County elementary-age student shared what appeared to be harmless candy gummies with friends at school. Later in the day, five kids received EMS attention after unknowingly consuming THC. Allison Adams, the President and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, shared with me that, 'Hemp-derived THC products pose real health concerns for children and teens. They can be extremely toxic for younger children, and we need stronger safeguards to keep these products out of their hands.' These products are poisoning Kentucky's kids. We cannot let this go on any longer. Opinion: McConnell would uphold his principles by voting against Trump's foreign aid cuts A loophole in hemp legalization legislation was abused and must be closed That is why I helped secure new language in the most recent agriculture appropriations bill, to restore the original intent of the 2018 Farm Bill's federal hemp legislation. This language helps keep dangerous products made by bad actors out of the hands of kids while preserving this industry for Kentucky's hemp farmers. After the decline in tobacco production, Kentucky's farmers looked to hemp as a potential new cash crop. I helped initiate pilot programs in the 2014 Farm Bill that gave us confidence in hemp's viability. Four years later, hemp's legalization and continued successes gave Kentucky a promising new crop. The plant is used in food, clothing, paper, plastic and many other consumer products. However, the loophole in this legislation was abused. And it must be closed. I will continue to fight for the health and safety of Kentucky's children Protecting the most vulnerable has been central to my work as U.S. senator for Kentucky. That includes kids. In 2019, I worked to secure the new minimum national age of 21 for the purchase of tobacco and vaping products to help keep children safe from nicotine addiction. This time around, I will do the same and continue to advocate for the health and safety of kids. Some hemp industry professionals say that this is not an issue of morals, but rather of economics. Well, I've been proud to champion free markets my entire career. But I feel no obligation to excuse the exploitation of children. This issue is clear: when our kids are being targeted, I will fight to protect them. Letter: McConnell knows why he should vote against cutting US foreign aid I secured the legalization of hemp. I want the industry to grow. You'll hear from others that protecting kids will mean destroying the hemp industry. That's a false choice. Under the language I recently secured, industrial hemp and CBD products remain legal. Period. It even delays implementation by one year to give Kentucky farmers ample time to prepare for changing markets. Advocates for keeping the loophole also predict widespread economic downturn for Kentucky farmers if my language in the bill becomes law. But they're wrong again. Kentucky farmers grow hemp for many purposes including grain, seed, fiber and CBD, but all together, it accounts for less than .021% of Kentucky's total farming acreage. I want this number to grow exponentially. That's why I secured the legalization of hemp in the first place. But rooting out the bad actors and reaffirming our original legislative intent is an important step toward both greater child safety and greater economic certainty. Tell us what you think. Submit a letter to the editor. Mitch McConnell is the United States Senator for Kentucky and serves as senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: McConnell: Hemp can grow KY's economy and be safe for kids | Opinion Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Mars 'Toxic' Food Dyes in M&M's, Skittles Under Scrutiny
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Mars Inc., the company that produces a number of popular candy products, including Skittles and M&M's, over what his office says are "deceptive trade practices." Newsweek contacted Mars via email and online inquiry form, and Paxton by online inquiry form, for comment on Thursday outside regular office hours. Why It Matters Paxton, who is running for the Senate seat occupied by fellow Republican John Cornyn, said he was "fighting alongside" Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to improve Texans' health. Kennedy has launched a campaign, which he dubbed "Make America Healthy Again," targeting environmental health risks and chronic disease. What To Know Paxton's office announced on Wednesday that it is investigating Mars, accusing the company of "deceptive trade practices that violate Texas consumers' rights." Paxton also said he issued Mars a civil investigative demand requiring the company to hand over certain documentation. In its news release, the Texas Attorney General's Office said Mars had continued to sell products in the U.S. containing "toxic dyes" despite a 2016 pledge to "remove all artificial colors from its human food products," which was later applied to its products for sale in Europe. It said dyes used by Mars had been "linked to a number of negative health outcomes, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, and even cancer." Mars insists its "artificial colors pose no known risks to human health or safety." A composite image showing bags of M&M's in New York City and a package of Skittles in the Netherlands. A composite image showing bags of M&M's in New York City and a package of Skittles in the Netherlands. Stephen Chernin/Yuriko Nakao/GETTY According to the official Skittles website, its U.S. ingredients list includes "natural and artificial flavors" and "colors (Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1." M&M's sold in the U.S. contain coloring that "includes Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 2 Lake, Red 40, Blue 1 Lake, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake." The statement said Paxton's office was "fighting alongside Secretary Kennedy and President Trump to help Americans get healthier by holding accountable big food companies." It added that in June, General Mills said it would remove artificial dyes from its products after a similar investigation by the Texas Attorney General's Office. In May, the Make America Healthy Again Commission, which was established by President Donald Trump, concluded that dyes and synthetic chemicals used in some products were having negative effects on children's health. What People Are Saying Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a news release on Wednesday: "Mars must remove toxic artificial dyes from its U.S. food products not only to honor its public commitment and ensure that it stays on the right side of the law, but also because it's the right thing to do. "It's clear that the movement to remove artificial colorings from our food supply is making incredible progress, and it's time for Mars to follow the lead of other companies like Nestle and Hershey by removing synthetic dyes from its products. For the health of Texans and all Americans, Mars must fulfill its 2016 pledge to get rid of these toxic ingredients." Speaking to Just Food, a Mars spokesperson said in February 2021: "We found that the majority of our U.S. consumers appreciate the current vibrant palette used in their favorite treats. So Mars will not remove all artificial colors from the entire portfolio, but will continue to offer a variety of options free from artificial colors, such as Snickers, Twix and Dove Milk and Dark Chocolate. This approach is consistent with intent to meet evolving consumer preferences." Mars said in a February 2016 news release: "Mars, Incorporated announced today that it will remove all artificial colors from its human food products as part of a commitment to meet evolving consumer preferences." What Happens Next Following the Make America Healthy Again Commission's report, Mars is likely to face further pressure to stop using artificial colors in its U.S. products.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FIRST ON FOX: Red state investigating M&Ms and Skittles manufacturer for ‘deceptive' practices
Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is launching an investigation into M&Ms and Skittles manufacturer Mars for alleged "deceptive and illegal practices" regarding the company's use of artificial dyes in its candies. In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Paxton's office tied the investigation to the attorney general's effort to be a "nationwide leader in fighting alongside" Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Donald Trump's Make America Healthy Again initiative to "help Americans get healthier by holding accountable big food companies who violate the law and deceive consumers about their ingredients." Paxton's office is asserting that Mars' alleged misrepresentation of artificial dyes in some of its candies, including M&Ms and Skittles, constitutes deceptive trade practices that run afoul of Texas consumers' rights. The attorney general further pointed out that while Mars continues to use artificial colors in its products in the U.S., it has stopped doing so in Europe. America's Dairy Farmers And Ice Cream Producers Agree To Quit Using Artificial Colors "While we do not comment on active proceedings, all Mars Wrigley ingredients are manufactured in compliance with strict quality and safety regulations established by food safety authorities, including the FDA," a Mars spokesperson told Fox News Digital. Read On The Fox News App In 2016, Mars committed to removing all artificial colors from all its human food products, which at the time it said was "part of a commitment to meet evolving consumer preferences." The company said that though it believed "artificial colors pose no known risks to human health or safety," it was making the change because "consumers today are calling on food manufacturers to use more natural ingredients in their products." Mars said that "against this backdrop, Mars will work closely with its suppliers to find alternatives that not only meet its strict quality and safety standards, but also maintain the vibrant, fun colors consumers have come to expect from the company's beloved brands." In a later update, however, Mars said it had found that "many of our consumers across the world do not, in fact, find artificial colors to be ingredients of concern" and "for that reason, we will continue to prioritize our efforts to remove artificial colors in Europe — where consumers have expressed this preference — but will not be removing all artificial colors from our Mars Snacking portfolio in other markets." Fda Commissioner Backs Maha Push To Improve Food Safety In Paxton's statement, his office said that "Mars also falsely claimed that 'artificial colors pose no known risks to human health or safety,' which could not be further from the truth as these dyes have been linked to a number of negative health outcomes, including Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism, and even cancer." The statement said that Paxton has issued a Civil Investigative Demand to obtain documents from Mars as part of the investigation. "Mars must remove toxic artificial dyes from its U.S. food products not only to honor its public commitment and ensure that it stays on the right side of the law, but also because it's the right thing to do," Paxton said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital. "It's clear that the movement to remove artificial colorings from our food supply is making incredible progress, and it's time for Mars to follow the lead of other companies like Nestle and Hershey by removing synthetic dyes from its products," he went on, adding, "For the health of Texans and all Americans, Mars must fulfill its 2016 pledge to get rid of these toxic ingredients." White House Responds To Reports Of Mars Inc Pushing Back On Eliminating Food Dyes White House Senior Advisor on Make America Healthy Again Calley Means has slammed Mars for refusing to remove artificial colors from its products, saying, "this is commonsense" and "these are petroleum-based dyes that have no nutritional value." This follows Paxton launching a similar investigation into General Mills, after which the company committed to removing artificial dyes from its products. The Texas attorney general has also targeted Kellogg's for allegedly violating the state's consumer protection laws by claiming to have removed dyes in its foods. Paxton is currently running to unseat Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Last week, Paxton's wife of 38-years, Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, announced that she had filed for divorce on "biblical grounds."Original article source: FIRST ON FOX: Red state investigating M&Ms and Skittles manufacturer for 'deceptive' practices Solve the daily Crossword
