You're objecting to the idea of a litmus test. Forgive me, but that's really just pride giving you inflated confidence in your abilities. We all need checks and balances, and sometimes those checks and balances seem rather ridiculous (especially when imposed on us by those not directly associated with us).

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.