The Curious Case of Skittles Now Made in China: Flavor, Quality, and More

The Curious Case of Skittles Produced in China

Skittles - the wildly popular, fruity candy treat enjoyed by millions around the world. With their hard sugar shells and chewy centers in a rainbow of fruit flavors, Skittles have become a ubiquitous candy staple.

However, in recent years, some sharp-eyed Skittles fans have noticed something different about their beloved candy. Printed discretely on the back of the Skittles packs are the words "Made in China." This has caused some consumers to wonder - are Skittles still produced in the United States? When did production shift to China? And most importantly - has the quality and taste of Skittles changed?

The History of Skittles

Skittles have a long and storied history in the American candy market. They were first produced in 1974 by a British company called Mars Limited. The original packs of Skittles contained five fruit flavors - strawberry, lemon, orange, grape, and lime. Packaged in bright color-coordinated candies, Skittles were an instant hit.

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Skittles grew steadily in popularity. In the early 1990s, Skittles were acquired by American candy conglomerate Wrigley. This brought Skittles production stateside to Wrigley's factories. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Wrigley introduced new exciting flavors like Tropical and Wild Berry to much fanfare.

When Did Production Move to China?

In 2018, Wrigley was acquired by Mars - returning Skittles back to their original parent company. Industry insiders speculate it was around this time that Mars quietly transitioned Skittles production from the U.S. to their massive confectionery operations in China.

Mars already had nine Chinese factories churning out products like M&M's, Snickers bars, Starburst, and more. Consolidating Skittles manufacture into their existing infrastructure just made financial sense. This allowed Mars to take advantage of reduced labor and material costs in China.

Of course, outsourcing production to China is always controversial. American consumers often have concerns around quality, safety standards, and job losses. However, Mars insists their Chinese factories adhere to the same stringent standards enforced in the U.S. and undergo frequent testing and audits.

Have Skittles Changed?

This leads to the biggest question for Skittles aficionados - with production now originating from China, have the Skittles themselves changed? After all, long-time fans often swear they can detect subtle differences in products after manufacturing moves overseas.

According to Mars, absolutely nothing about the Skittles themselves has changed. They cite rigorous quality control measures and testing to ensure Chinese-produced Skittles are identical to those made in America. The candies contain the same ingredients, colors, flavors, shapes, and textures.

Yet if you browse Skittles discussions online, you'll find some dissenting opinions. A vocal minority insist the Chinese Skittles taste "different" - chalkier texture, less flavor, colors look slightly off. However, most agree these slight variations fall within normal manufacturing fluctuations.

Debating China-Produced Skittles

So should candy lovers be up in arms over China-produced Skittles? Here are some key points to consider:

• Lab testing confirms Chinese Skittles contain the same ingredients as American Skittles. Sugar, corn syrup, fruit juices, citric acid, colorings - everything matches the U.S. formula.
• Skittles originate from and are designed by Mars' product development teams in the U.S. China factories simply replicate the existing product.
• Independent audits vouch for quality standards and production practices at Mars' Chinese plants.
• No changes have been made to Skittles packaging, marketing, or pricing. If quality suffered, such changes would be expected.
• Reviews among ordinary consumers remain overwhelmingly positive, with few complaints or concerns.

Of course, some argue American jobs are being lost by offshoring Skittles production. And certain consumers will never be convinced Chinese candy tastes quite the same.

Yet for most Skittles fans, where the candy is produced seems irrelevant. As long as each packet delivers the same magical taste experience - a crunchy outer shell giving way to a burst of fruit flavor - Skittles will continue satisfying sweet cravings worldwide. China or America, the pleasure of Skittles remains delightfully universal.

Skittles Flavors Around the World

One intriguing aspect about Skittles is how the flavors vary for different international markets. While Original Skittles contain strawberry, lemon, orange, grape, and lime in the U.S., other countries offer their own unique taste profiles.

For example, Skittles produced for the UK market omit grape and instead include black currant. In some Asian and Latin American countries, exotic fruits like lychee, mango, strawberry-banana, and kiwi-lime can be found in Skittles packs.

Even limited edition flavors can differ internationally. Recent novelties sold in America include Sweet Heat (fiery cinnamon) and Sour Wild Berry. Meanwhile, Australians were treated to Chocolate Mousse and Kiwi Lime Skittles.

This indicates Mars customizes Skittles flavors based on regional taste preferences. Local consumer testing no doubt influences development of new varieties. Additionally, fruits native to certain countries or regions may get highlighted in that market's Skittles selection.

How Flavors Are Chosen

So what goes into selecting which flavors eventually make their way into Skittles packs? Mars relies heavily on consumer testing and existing sales data to pinpoint which flavor profiles resonate in different markets.

Their food scientists use artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to estimate likely consumer appeal of proposed new flavors. Test groups sampling experimental flavors provide further real-world feedback. Popular limited releases can then become permanent additions to that country's Skittles lineup.

Interestingly, Mars reports they have a database of thousands of potential Skittles flavors already conceptualized. So when the time comes to refresh a nation's Skittles offerings, they have no shortage of new flavors ready for evaluation. The challenge lies more in narrowing down the field based on what local tastes favor.

American vs International Flavors

When comparing standard international Skittles selections to the classic American package, what differences stand out?

• UK: No grape, contains black currant instead
• Canada: No lime, contains raspberry instead
• Germany: No grape, contains woodruff instead
• Australia: Contains raspberry, not lime
• Brazil: Tropical fruits like mango and passionfruit included

This demonstrates how fruits familiar locally often replace more unfamiliar flavors in international markets. For instance, black currant and woodruff have long histories in British and German cuisines, respectively. Substituting them for grape clearly appeals more to those regions.

Meanwhile, tropical selections in Brazil align with what Brazilian consumers regularly enjoy. The presence of mango and passionfruit Skittles surely feels right at home for that South American market.

The Most Popular International Flavors

When surveying the range of international Skittles flavors, which novelties make frequent appearances across different countries? Here are some of the most popular overseas flavors:

• Mango - Found in an array of Asian and Latin American markets
• Raspberry - Favored in Europe and Australia over lime
• Banana - Pairings like banana-strawberry prove popular internationally
• Kiwi - Either on its own or paired with lime or strawberry
• Lychee - A refreshing exotic flavor throughout Asia
• Passionfruit - Beloved tropical treat in Latin America and Asia

These international flavors reveal some insights into flavor preferences and local fruits that appeal to overseas consumers. For instance, the popularity of mango and passionfruit Skittles aligns with those fruits' prevalence in tropical regions. Meanwhile, raspberry's appearance across Europe and Australia demonstrates its favored status over lime.

The Future of Skittles

As a brand now nearing 50 years old, what does the future look like for Skittles? This fruity candy favorite clearly still has devoted fans worldwide, with no signs of slowing down.

Many hope Mars continues churning out fun limited releases on top of the classic flavors. Consumers seem to crave constant novelty and variety when it comes to Skittles tastes. Social media buzz also builds each time a new flavor debuts.

International markets would welcome fresh flavor innovation tailored specifically to local tastes. Alongside novelty, maintaining affordability remains crucial for Skittles' success. Rising costs may test brands like Skittles that have forged an identity around inexpensive impulse purchases.

Interesting packaging or promotional innovations could also grab consumer attention. Collaborations with celebrities, brands, or external media properties open additional avenues for keeping Skittles exciting and relevant.

One certainty is that Skittles will continue spreading sweet fruity joy across the globe for decades to come. Regardless of where they may be produced, the iconic rainbow colored candy provides a consistent blast of flavor and fun for fans everywhere. Skittles' appeal transcends demographics, generations, and cultures - proving taste truly can unite the world.

FAQs

When did Skittles start being made in China?

Skittles production is believed to have shifted from the United States to China around 2018, after Mars Inc acquired Wrigley and consolidated production in its existing Chinese factories.

Does the packaging look different for China-produced Skittles?

No, Skittles packs made in China look identical to previous American-made packs. The only indication of origin is the fine print "Made in China" on the backside.

Do Skittles made in China taste different?

According to Mars, the flavor, texture, and quality of Chinese-produced Skittles remains exactly the same. Independent testing has confirmed they contain identical ingredients to American Skittles as well.

Why did Mars move Skittles production to China?

Industry experts believe manufacturing Skittles in China allows Mars to take advantage of reduced labor, material, and distribution costs compared to making them in the U.S.

Are Skittles sold in other countries different flavors?

Yes, international Skittles packs often contain flavors tailored specifically to local consumer tastes. For example, many contain tropical fruits like mango, banana, or passionfruit.