PRESIDENTIAL M&Ms, one of the most prized Air Force One souvenirs, were given to staff at the Hyatt to mark the visit of US President Barack Obama.

Small packets of the confectionary, packaged with the official Presidential seal and the signature of Barack Obama were given to only a few members of staff.

The head chef was one of the lucky few to be handed the small token from the President’s personal butler.

It is said the limited-edition M&Ms are exclusive to Air Force One and each box includes the Presidential seal and the autograph of the current president. Usually, the souvenir is handed out by Air Force One stewards. The Obama editions were some of the most anticipated.

On eBay, a quick search revealed the going rate for Obama’s M&Ms are $20, while President Clinton’s are fetching between $50 and $75.

[box]In searching for more information about the Presidential M&Ms, we came across this entertaining piece of writing by singer Bob Geldof,  recounting an exchange with President George W Bush:

“Laundry, huh?” the President mused. “Y’know, I’ve never asked that. I usually just wear the same thing all day, but if I need to change, there’s always a room I can go to. Laundry, huh? Is this the interview, Geldof? It’s certainly a different technique!”

He’s showing me around because I’ve asked if I can get Air Force One stuff to bring home to the kids.

“Hey guys, get Geldof the links and pins and stuff. And the M&M’s. Didja know I got my own Presidential M&M’s?” Wow. “Yeah, cool, right? They’ll love ’em.” They did. They’re in a presidential box with his autograph on them. The Queen doesn’t have that. Or the Pope. And I muse later from Car 25 in the 33-car motorcade that there are probably only three people in the world who can bring crowds like this out onto the street — the Queen, the Pope and the President of the United States, and only one’s a politician.

“Jed,” the President says to the man doing the ironing between the twin beds. “How do we do the laundry on this thing?” “We use hotels, sir.” Ah.

“From Geldof to Bush: Diary from the Road”[/box]