Just Don’t Change The Green Ones

Pink M&M’s anyone? How about purple or blue?

Sweet-toothed consumers began voting Monday for the newest color to be added to the coated chocolate drops.

M&M-Mars, based in Hackettstown, N.J. is looking to spice up its 55-year-old candy to reflect the changing color preferences of the 1990s.

This is serious stuff in the candy business.

“Colors add fun and enjoyment to everybody’s chocolate experience,” said Pat D’Amato, public relations manager for M&M-Mars.

Voters have until March 17 to pick up a ballot at any place they can buy the candy and register their preference - pink, purple or blue.

The company will announce the winner April 18 and the new M&M’s should be in stores by September.

The traditional M&M mix of brown, yellow, orange, red, green and tan candies has remained unchanged since 1949 - except for a decade-long leave-of-absence by the red drop, removed in 1976 because of what the company says was a misplaced concern over the food dye. Red returned in 1987.