I can't really comment on the legitimacy of the M&Ms thing, but multi-million dollar international operations aren't sustained by sticking to practices that don't work. That at least gives us a hint as to its effectiveness as a means of safeguarding the performers and audience.
Nothing, not even brown M&Ms can make it so all of a sudden we don't need to communicate through the proper channels and follow procedures.
It's not intended to be an attack on you. It's not an attack on your profession. It highlights how a professional organization can raise the quality of everyone they interact with. Like it or not, wal-mart makes its suppliers better. Maybe it takes talking, cajoling or even dirty tricks, but the key idea is you can make your suppliers better. Don't be afraid to be very sneaky in your thinking to get what you need from your suppliers.
It could be seen as an insult that all sensible musicians keep a socket tester and a RCD(GFCI) in their bag. Venues shouldn't have sockets(outlets) with reversed L/N or floating earth(ground), but they do. People die because of sloppy techs, cheapskate owners and lazy managers. If something gives a touring crew a bit of security, that's absolutely their right.