It's time to stand up for titanium dioxide in our sweets, before every single one becomes a pale shadow of its former self. Smarties, Party Rings, Refreshers, all have turned to the 'natural' dark side.

Even America has succumbed, with Necco Wafers losing their colour and flavouring in favour of natural ones. Having had Necco Wafers, I despair to think that the brightest candy minds have somehow concocted a plan to make them taste even worse.

Artificial colouring (and flavouring) has its place, people. Stop it now before all our sweets turn to chalk!

(fully aware that my intention to use mostly all-natural ingredients makes me a hypocrite here - but trust me, if I could make Refreshers in my kitchen, I'd do it properly. Or at least include vodka.)

LOOK!

THIS IS NOT THE FUTURE I SIGNED UP FOR.