7 Fun Facts About Iconic M&M’s Snacks You Probably Didn’t Know (Until Now)

M&M’s are a candy aisle favorite, and we’ve all indulged in their colorful crunch. But behind these iconic candies are some fascinating stories and quirky facts that many people don’t know. From their wartime origins to surprising marketing twists, M&M’s have a history as colorful as the candies themselves. Let’s take a bite into some sweet trivia!

1. M&M’s Born on the Battlefield

You may think of M&M’s as a fun snack for movie nights, but their origins are a little more serious. During World War II, M&M’s were created to provide soldiers with a chocolate treat that wouldn’t melt easily in harsh conditions. The hard candy shell was designed to protect the chocolate inside, making them the perfect portable snack for troops. Who knew M&M’s had such a military background?

2. The ‘M’ in M&M’s

Ever wonder what the two M’s stand for? The answer is Mars and Murrie. Forrest Mars, Sr., son of the Mars Company founder, teamed up with Bruce Murrie, son of Hershey’s president, to create the iconic candy. Their collaboration birthed M&M’s in 1941, combining Mars’ candy-making expertise with Hershey’s chocolate supply during a time of war rationing. It’s a partnership that left a sweet mark on candy history!

3. Red Disappeared for a Decade

In the mid-1970s, red M&M’s mysteriously vanished from bags, replaced by orange ones. The reason? A public scare surrounding the use of Red Dye No. 2, which was believed to be carcinogenic. Even though M&M’s didn’t use this dye, Mars removed red M&M’s to calm consumer fears. After a decade-long hiatus, the red M&M’s made a triumphant return in the late 1980s—and fans were thrilled.

4. The “M” Stamp Is All About Quality Control

That little “M” stamped on each candy is more than just a cute decoration. In fact, it’s a mark of quality. Introduced in 1950, the stamp was a way for consumers to know they were getting the real deal, distinguishing authentic M&M’s from other candies. Today, each candy passes through a careful process to ensure the iconic “M” is printed perfectly—talk about sweet precision!

5. M&M’s Go to Space

M&M’s didn’t stop at conquering Earth; they’ve also been to space! Thanks to their compact size and long shelf life, M&M’s have been a popular snack for astronauts aboard the International Space Station. These colorful candies provide a tasty morale boost and, as you can imagine, they’re pretty fun to eat in zero gravity.

6. The Legendary Blue M&M Debate

Blue M&M’s might seem like a staple today, but they weren’t always part of the lineup. In 1995, Mars held a public vote to add a new color, and fans were given the choice of blue, pink, or purple. Blue won by a landslide, and it’s been a beloved part of the mix ever since. It’s hard to imagine an M&M’s world without that cool blue hue, but it’s a fairly recent addition.

7. M&M’s as Art and Pop Culture Icons

M&M’s are more than just candy—they’re pop culture icons. From their cheeky TV commercials featuring the Red and Yellow characters to massive M&M statues in Times Square, these candies have found their way into art, advertising, and entertainment. In fact, some modern artists even use M&M’s as a medium for their work, proving that these colorful candies aren’t just fun to eat—they’re fun to look at, too.