Nestlé is spending £2m on a marketing push to promote the comeback of the blue Smartie and push its healthier credentials as free from artificial colours or flavours. The Blue is Back campaign includes a TV ad, which flags up the fact the new blue Smarties are coloured with an extract from spirulina seaweed instead of artificial colourants. It will run for four weeks from next week and is targeted at mums looking for less unhealthy treats for their children. A Smarties Art initiative will form another part of the campaign, which encourages parents and children to go online and download resource packs on how to get creative by using food in arts and crafts activities. Nestlé temporarily axed blue Smarties in June 2006 when the brand was relaunched as free from artificial colours.

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