M&M'S

Introduction

M&M'S is a brand of candy founded in 1941 by Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie, the son of the founders of Mars, Inc. and Hershey Chocolate, respectively. The collaboration was a strategic partnership that brought together their respective expertise in candy-making and marketing. M&M'S gained popularity during World War II, as its hard shell allowed the candies to be transported without melting, making them a convenient treat for soldiers. Over the years, the brand has evolved, becoming an iconic image in American culture, known for its colorful, button-shaped chocolates and playful marketing campaigns that emphasize its mascot characters.

The philosophy behind M&M'S revolves around the idea of sharing happiness and creating memorable moments. The brand encourages consumers to "melt in your mouth, not in your hand," highlighting its unique candy coating that ensures a convenient and enjoyable experience. Additionally, M&M'S promotes inclusivity and personalization, allowing consumers to customize their candies with messages, making them perfect for various occasions and celebrations. This commitment to fun, creativity, and connection reflects the brand's core values, making it a beloved choice among people of all ages.

What makes M&M'S special is its ability to fuse tradition with innovation. The brand has successfully introduced various flavors and limited-edition products, keeping the experience fresh and exciting for consumers. M&M'S also engages its audience through interactive campaigns, social media, and participation in pop culture, which strengthens its connection with fans. The iconic M&M'S characters—Melts, Crunchy, Crispy, and others—have become cultural symbols, further reinforcing the brand's identity and legacy.

Signature Products

M&M'S offers a delightful array of products that capture the essence of the brand, balancing nostalgia with innovation. Each product contributes to the unique experience that M&M'S is known for.

• Milk Chocolate M&M'S : Classic milk chocolate coated in a colorful candy shell that melts in your mouth.
• Peanut M&M'S : Crunchy peanuts enveloped in delicious milk chocolate and a thin candy shell.
• Pretzel M&M'S : A perfect blend of sweet and salty with pretzel-filled milk chocolate coated in a crunchy shell.
• Crispy M&M'S : Light, crispy rice coupled with smooth milk chocolate, encased in a colorful candy coating.
• Almond M&M'S : A crunchy almond surrounded by smooth milk chocolate and a colorful candy shell.
• Peanut Butter M&M'S : A hearty dose of creamy peanut butter coated in a layer of milk chocolate and a candy shell.
• Caramel M&M'S : Soft and gooey caramel wrapped in rich milk chocolate, all encased in a candy shell.

Materials and Ingredients Used by M&M'S

• Butter : Butter is a dairy product made from churning cream. In the context of M&M'S, it is likely used to enhance flavor and provide a creamy texture, contributing to the overall mouthfeel of the chocolate coating and interior ingredients.
• Carnauba Wax : Carnauba wax is a natural plant-based wax derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm. M&M'S may use it as a coating ingredient to provide a glossy finish and to help prevent the candies from sticking together, enhancing their visual appeal and shelf stability.
• Cocoa : Cocoa is made from the processed seeds of the cacao tree, and it is a primary ingredient in chocolate. M&M'S utilizes cocoa to create their rich chocolate flavor, which is a key characteristic of the candy and important for consumer satisfaction.
• Corn : Corn is a versatile ingredient that can be transformed into various forms such as syrup or starch. In M&M'S, corn-derived ingredients are used for sweetness, as a binding agent, or to improve texture, making the candies chewier or enhancing the overall consistency.
• Milk : Milk is a dairy product rich in fats and proteins. M&M'S uses milk, particularly in their milk chocolate variants, to create a creamier and richer flavor profile, enhancing the overall taste experience for consumers.
• Palm Oil : Palm oil is a common vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of oil palm trees. In M&M'S, palm oil can serve various functions, including stability and texture enhancement, providing a smoother mouthfeel and preventing the chocolate from melting too quickly.
• Peanuts : Peanuts are legumes that are often used in confections for their crunchy texture and distinct flavor. M&M'S incorporates peanuts in their peanut variant to create a contrast between the crispy shell and creamy chocolate center, appealing to consumers seeking a nutty flavor experience.
• Salt : Salt is a mineral commonly used in food to enhance flavor. M&M'S includes salt to balance the sweetness of the candy, accentuating the chocolate and other ingredients, ultimately creating a more complex flavor profile.
• Sugar : Sugar is a primary sweetener derived from sugar cane or sugar beets. M&M'S uses sugar to provide the sweetness that characterizes the candy, essential for consumer enjoyment and satisfaction.
• Yellow 5 : Yellow 5, also known as tartrazine, is a synthetic dye used to impart color. M&M'S employs this ingredient to achieve a vibrant yellow hue in some of their candy coatings, enhancing visual appeal and differentiating product varieties.
• Yellow 6 : Yellow 6 is another synthetic color additive that provides a bright yellow-orange shade. In M&M'S, this ingredient is used to create visually appealing colors for the candy, contributing to the playful and attractive appearance that appeals to consumers.

Things to Keep in Mind When Buying From M&M'S

Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

Butter and milk production are significant sources of greenhouse gases, primarily methane produced by dairy cows during digestion. This contributes to climate change, as methane is notably more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of heat-trapping potential. The dairy industry as a whole accounts for a substantial portion of agricultural emissions. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the global dairy sector is responsible for approximately 4% of all human-caused emissions. Beyond direct emissions from cows, additional emissions come from the production and transportation of feed for dairy cows, further amplifying the ecological footprint.

Deforestation:

Cocoa and palm oil are notorious for their associations with deforestation. Cocoa farming in regions like West Africa often involves the clearing of tropical forests to make way for plantations, contributing to habitat loss for countless species and driving deforestation-induced climate change. Similarly, palm oil production is a leading cause of rainforest destruction in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. Forests are cleared to create large monoculture plantations, which significantly reduces biodiversity and releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from the disturbed soil and vegetation.

Water Usage:

The production of butter, milk, peanuts, and sugar involves considerable water consumption. Water is needed not just for the ingredients themselves but also for the crops and animal feed. Overextraction of water can lead to resource depletion and impact local ecosystems. For example, the cultivation of irrigated crops in water-scarce areas can exacerbate drought conditions and reduce water availability for other uses, including drinking and sanitation. In regions with limited water management infrastructure, this can lead to long-term socio-economic and environmental issues.

Labor Rights:

The production of carnauba wax and cocoa highlights significant labor rights issues. In the wax industry, workers are often subjected to unsafe working conditions and inadequate wages. Reports have shown exploitative labor practices where workers harvest the leaves under harsh conditions, sometimes without proper contracts. Cocoa production, particularly in West Africa, is plagued with child labor concerns. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of children work in cocoa plantations, performing hazardous tasks that can impact their health and education opportunities.

Pesticide Use and Soil Health:

Ingredients such as corn and peanuts rely heavily on the use of pesticides and fertilizers, raising concerns about soil health and environmental pollution. Pesticides can accumulate in soil and water sources, affecting organisms that are not intended targets, including beneficial insects and soil bacteria necessary for healthy ecosystems. Over time, dependence on chemical aids can lead to reduced soil fertility and increased vulnerability to pest outbreaks, necessitating even more chemical input in a downward spiral of environmental quality.