Mars, Incorporated launches Mars Nutrition for Health & Well-Being

01/07/05 Mars, Incorporated has launched a new business unit, called Mars Nutrition for Health & Well-Being, which will develop and launch new foods, snacks, beverages and lifestyle support to better serve the nutritional and well-being needs of the consumer.

Foods in the nutrition and health category are growing at an impressive rate, and are anticipated to continue to grow for years to come, says Mars. Moving into the health and nutrition area is consistent with Mars continuing portfolio diversification, starting with its early roots in chocolate and expanding into savory snacks, petfood, main meal and beverages.

Mars has pioneered scientific research over the last fifteen years in partnership with some of the world's most respected universities into the health benefits of cocoa and the cocoa flavanols that provide the essence of those benefits.

The Mars Nutrition for Health & Well-Being business unit has already launched its first great tasting snack called CocoaVia, available online at www.cocoavia.com. With 80 calories per serving and a nutrition profile that includes heart healthy ingredients, vitamins and minerals with a premium chocolate, rich in the flavanols preserved by our special process, it is the only global brand purposely designed to deliver both chocolate pleasure and real heart health benefits. CocoaVia will be followed by a number of food solutions targeting a variety of nutritional needs and benefits in the months to come.