M&M Maker Mars Turns to CRISPR to Create Climate-Resilient Cocoa

Candy giant Mars, Incorporated announced Wednesday it is partnering with biotech company Pairwise to safeguard the future of chocolate using cutting-edge CRISPR gene-editing technology. The collaboration aims to develop more resilient and sustainable varieties of the cacao plant, the source of the world’s cocoa.

The agreement gives Mars, the maker of iconic treats like M&M’s and Snickers, access to Pairwise’s advanced Fulcrum platform. This powerful tool includes a vast library of plant traits that can be used to tailor crops, allowing scientists to develop cacao plants that are stronger and better equipped to handle environmental challenges.

At the heart of the initiative is CRISPR, a revolutionary gene-editing tool that allows for fast and precise changes to a plant’s DNA. In agriculture, this technology is used to enhance desirable traits in crops, such as resistance to drought, disease, and extreme temperatures—all significant threats to the global cacao supply.

The primary goal is to create cacao plants that can better withstand the increasing pressures of climate change. By improving resistance to disease and heat, Mars hopes to protect the delicate supply chain that brings chocolate from the farm to consumers worldwide.

“At Mars, we believe CRISPR has the potential to improve crops in ways that support and strengthen global supply chains,” said Carl Jones, Plant Sciences Director at Mars, in a press release.

This move mirrors a growing trend among major food and beverage companies taking proactive steps to protect their core commodities. In October, for example, Starbucks invested in two innovation farms in Central America to develop climate-resilient coffee beans and test new agricultural technologies.

Pairwise emphasized that gene editing offers a significant advantage over traditional breeding methods. “[It] allows for faster and more precise trait development,” the company stated, enabling quicker adaptation to a rapidly changing environment.

CRISPR technology has gained significant attention for its transformative potential, most notably in health care. In a landmark decision in late 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first-ever CRISPR-based gene-editing treatment for sickle cell disease, underscoring the technology’s credibility and power.

The partnership is part of a broader strategy of innovation and investment for Mars. Last month, the candy giant announced a $2 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing capabilities through 2026, which includes a new $240 million facility for its Nature’s Bakery brand in Utah.