Mars has obtained kosher certification at one of its UK production plants in attempts to ensurebrands like Mars bars, Snickers and Galaxy made at the site comply with the religious standards.
Confectioners are expected to benefit as shoppers change their behaviour in tough economic times and cut back on necessities for a little indulgence, according to consumer trends research from Mars Chocolate UK.
Mars is poised for continued growth this year, according to its UK head, as the long-held belief that chocolate is relatively recession proof still rings true in the current climate.
A partnership with a leading upcycling company will enable the reuse of both surplus and used packaging from food, drink, gum and confectionery products, claims confectionery giant, Mars
Labour watchdog International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) recognises Mars' recent road map for sustainability as “an important step forward” but claims the chocolate behemoth needs to push further into Fairtrade certification.
Mars has pledged that its entire cocoa supply will be certified as sustainably produced by 2020, through a multi-year, multi-country deal forged with the Rainforest Alliance.
Clear signs that falling consumer demand for chocolate is starting to impact the supply chain with Mars' chocolate business in France announcing contracted production in Alsace.
The UK's Daily Mail newspaper reports that fifteen illegal immigrants were arrested last week after they were found hiding in a lorry filled with around 20 tonnes of cocoa powder.
Mars says it will continue to reformulate its products to remove artificial colours, additives and saturated fats where feasible, as it launches a new advertising campaign to play up its ingredient commitments.
Confectionery behemoth Mars plunges into the world of online sharing, with the launch of an ad campaign for the Gummi Burst addition to its Starburst sweets line.
Leading global confectioners Mars and the Wrigley have announced
that they will merge, creating what Bill Wrigley called 'the
world's leading confectionery company'.
An industry sponsored, peer reviewed study has found consuming
chocolate containing plant sterols and cocoa flavanols can lower
cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Mars UK claims it is the first confectionery company to launch an
online platform which will allow members of the networking site
Facebook to buy real chocolate bars such as Twix or Galaxy.
Global confectioners Mars and Nestle have joined a sustainable
cocoa programme, which aims to establish a traceability system for
all farmers in the Ivory Coast.
Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(PETA) is calling for a boycott of all Mars confectionery products,
after the company admitted testing flavanols, a "healthy" chocolate
ingredient, on animals.
Chocolate giant Mars has filed a lawsuit against Natraceutical,
alleging that the Spanish company is infringing its patents on
polyphenol-rich cocoa extracts by selling CocoanOX extracts in the
United States.
Mars has become one of the first food processors to run afoul of
the EU's greenhouse gas controls scheme, with the UK's Environment
Agency yesterday fining the company €78,080 (£52,532) for breaching
the rules.
Mars' CocoaVia nutritional chocolate bar range has had its healthy
image boosted by a new study indicating that the product actively
reduces cholesterol levels.
Confectionary giant Mars has lauded recently published research as
further evidence of the benefits of flavanols from cocoa for a wide
range of health conditions, and looks set to lead to a new wave of
cocoa flavanol-enriched products...
Mars, one of the most recognisable chocolate confectionery brands
in the world, has confirmed that UK production of its Twix and
Starburst brands is to be outsourced to Continental Europe, ending
weeks of speculation and axing 700...
Mars, one of the most recognisable chocolate confectionery brands
in the world, could soon have its UK production outsourced to
Europe following increasing competition in the domestic
confectionery sector and flagging overall sales...
US chocolate maker Mars has licensed a number of its confectionery
brands to compatriot Bravo! Foods, which will roll them out as
vitamin-enhanced milk drinks targeting the growing market for
healthy and indulgent products.