Mars Likely to Update Customers on 55 Country Recall

25 Feb 2016 --- Mars is expected to update its customers and regulators in the coming days on its investigation following a food scare which saw the chocolate maker recall chocolate products in 55 countries. The scare follows a customer in Germany findings bits of plastic in a Snickers bar in January this year. 

The plastic was traced back to the Mars factory in the town of Veghel in the Netherlands.

The recall involves products made at the Dutch plant and mostly chocolate bars sold in Europe, including Germany and France, but not in the US, where Mars is based.

A spokesman for Mars Netherlands said: “We cannot be sure that this plastic was only in the particularly Snickers. We do not want any products on the market that may not meet our quality requirements, so we decided to take them all back.”

In the UK, the products affected include Milky Way bars, funsize Mars and boxes of Celebrations.

In the Netherlands, Mars and Snickers bars have been recalled.

The recall could end up costing Mars millions of dollars, experts believe.

It is the first time that Mars has had to recall products from its factory in Veghel, which employs around 1,200 people and was opened in 1963.

Customers are advised to seek guidance from food regulators about the scare. 

The UK’s Food Standards Agency has advised customers not to eat the affected products and to contact Mars’ consumer care team.

Mars is one of the biggest food companies in the world and boasts global sales of $33 billion. Its brands also include Galaxy, Twix and M&Ms.