Mars, Twix, etal No Longer Suitable For Vegetarians

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/food/story/0,,2084495,00.html

Turns out some Mars products are still not suitable for vegetarians.

That's really disappointing.  I'm assuming there's really no need to use animal derived whey, so why use it?  GRRR!

too late. i'm off mars now for good. 

Heres the email repsonse I recieved from Masterfoods....
............................
Dear Sir/Madam
Thank you for taking the time to contact us in connection with the change of ingredients in our chocolate confectionery and ice cream range.

Please note that after recently changing the source of some of the whey that is used in some of our chocolate products we have received lots of feedback that this decision has made it difficult for some of you, especially those of you who are vegetarians, to continue to enjoy our products. We realise that we made a mistake and we apologise. We have committed that we at Mars UK will ensure that a selection of favourite brands including Mars bars, Snickers bars, Galaxy and Maltesers will be suitable for vegetarians in the near future.

Meanwhile we are currently experiencing unusually high volumes of contacts from our consumers and therefore we hope that you understand that, rather than answer your question individually, we are attaching a list of questions and answers we believe would be useful and help answer your enquiry.

Alternatively you can visit our web site (www.masterfoodsconsumercare.co.uk) for this, and other useful information.

Once again thank you for taking the time to contact us. Please do get back in touch, at the dedicated email address below, if your specific query has not been answered and we will do our best to get a speedy response to you.

Yours faithfully

On Behalf of Fiona Dawson
Mars UK
fionadawson@masterfoods.co.uk


Q1.What are you announcing?

A1.We have recently changed the source of some of the whey which is used in our chocolate products made in the UK from a vegetarian friendly variety to one which contains traces of traditional rennet from animal sources. We have received lots of feedback from consumers and reversed this decision.

Q2.Are you reverting to vegetarian recipes for all of those products that were subject to the ingredient change?

A2.Yes, this announcement means that favourite products - Mars bars, Snickers bars, Galaxy, and Maltesers will once again be suitable for vegetarians.

Q3.You make lots of other brands - what about the suitability of them?

A3.Other products will also be suitable for vegetarians including Minstrels, Revels, and Ripple. However, Twix, Bounty and Celebrations will continue not to be suitable for vegetarians.

Q4.I'm a vegetarian - which products can I eat / should I avoid?

A4.Currently we cannot guarantee that our products contain vegetarian rennet. However, we are starting to change our manufacturing process with immediate effect. We want to get our vegetarian products on the shelves as soon as possible. During this process of changing the recipes we will provide updates on this consumer care website, on a regular basis. If you are not sure about the suitability of our products please call us on 0845 0450042.

Q5.Why did you decide to change the ingredients in the first place?

A5.We made the change to broaden our supply base in order to ensure we could continue to provide our consumers with products of consistent quality in the future.

Q6.Will you now consult with consumers on any future changes to products?

A6.Yes. This change was a mistake and we are sorry that we may have prevented consumers from enjoying the products they've always enjoyed.
 

Idiots.

I shall maintain my boycott.

Farewell, Twix bars...

 


Vicky

Why haven't people kicked up a fuss about the fact that many other dessert-type foods are made with animal products? For instance, in the UK those Heinz in-the-can type treacle puddings have fish oil in them. In the US, almost all Hostess products (cupcakes, twinkies, etc) are made with beef fat.

Not that I'd recommend eating any of that stuff anyway!! 

Because they have always been like that, wheras this is a deliberate change in policy.

Most companies are working the other way, and are trying to get their foods vegetarian.  I seldom see cochineal as an ingretient anymore, Walkers have gone 100 per cent vegetarian since changing their Cheese and Onion to vegetable rennet last year, and as has been said, more and more cheese is veggie now.

These tinned pudding have always had fish oil in them, which is bad, of course.  However, the deliberate action of Mars takes the biscuit 

Oh, and I am always moaning about Weight Watchers puddings...they contain Pork Gelatine.  Disgusting.


Vicky