Woman Sues Mars for Making Starburst Fruit Chews Too Chewy

Starburst Fruit Chews, the brilliantly-colored candy that has been enjoyed by millions of people for decades, has become the center of a lawsuit. Victoria McArthur, a Michigan woman, claims that Starburst Fruit Chews are not only chewy (as their name indicates), but criminally chewy. 

Fox News reports that after biting into a lemon candy (which, incidentally, is their most popular flavor) in 2005, the woman's bottom and top rows of teeth stuck together, causing her jaw to become misaligned when she attempted to open her mouth. She is now claiming to have a condition known as temporal mandibular joint dysfunction and is blaming it on the candy.

McArthur is suing the Mars Corporation, the maker of Starburst Fruit Chews, for $25,000 to pay for her rehabilitation. She is also wishing to be compensated for her pain and suffering, as she is now having trouble eating, sleeping, and talking.

Citing "personal permanent injury" in her lawsuit, she told Fox News "I don't want to see anybody else have to go through what I have gone through from eating a piece of candy that was supposed to be soft chew."

Starburst Fruit Chews were originally introduced in Europe in the 1960s, and made their way into the US in 1976. Made with real fruit juice, this candy is one of few candies containing vitamin C. In fact, a package can provide up to 50% of one's daily vitamin C requirements. Originally coming in strawberry, lemon, orange, and lime, they now come in two dozen different varieties including tropical and sour flavors as well as berries and cream. In addition to their Fruit Chews, Starburst also makes jelly beans, hard candies, and candy canes. It is unknown whether McArthur is still consuming Fruit Chews or whether she is sticking to a safer candy choice.

The Mars Corporation has so far refused McArthur's request for a settlement and have refused to offer comment regarding the incident. Their silence leaves one wondering whether they are merely being tight-lipped, or whether their jaws are simply locked closed with Starbursts.