How Skittles Became America's (and the NFL's) Favorite Non-Chocolate Candy

Even livestock loves the fruit-flavored treat

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Americans really love their Skittles, and, if a recent news report is any indication, so do their livestock.

On Jan. 18, Sheriff Dale Schmidt noticed hundreds of thousands of Skittles covering a roadway in Dodge County, Wis. After posting photos of the candy spill on Facebook—and opining that the Skittles were intended as cattle feed—the item made national news. While many were outraged that candy would be used as animal feed (a Skittles spokesperson said the company does not sell to farmers), one Facebooker advised everyone to cool out: “[You’re] scared of candy you grew up on? Ugh.”

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This story first appeared in the January 30, 2017, issue of Adweek magazine. Click here to subscribe.