Texas’ attorney general said on Wednesday he has begun investigating Mars, which makes M&M’s and Skittles candies, for its alleged refusal to remove

Ken Paxton has issued a civil investigative demand seeking documents to determine whether Mars violated consumer protection laws through deceptive trade practices.

Mars is the maker of various candies, including Skittles, M&M's, Milky Way and Twix. The company also makes pet food under brands like Iams and Pedigree, although no pet food brands were mentioned in Paxton's announcement. Paxton said he has issued a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) to obtain documents from Mars as part of the investigation.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is in a war against synthetic food dyes. Here are the major food manufacturers that are phasing out food dyes, and some of the popular products that will be affected.

Artificial food dyes are everywhere: in Cheetos, Jolly Ranchers, applesauce, pickles, spinach wraps, ice cream, even Tylenol. Parents of kids who are sensitive to the dyes want them banned.

Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and now Nestlé are removing artificial dyes from their products — and it’s a big shift for the food industry. Anna Benevente,