After a week long campaign by the vegetarians, Mars UK has admitted their mistake about changing the vegetarian source to a non vegetarian source. But the company despite reversing a decision to use animal extracts said that many of its well known brands will remain unsuitable for vegetarians. Ingredients of its products like Twix, Bounty, Celebrations, Topic and Milky Way will continue to remain unsuitable for veggies. However, the ingredients of Mars and Snickers bars will be reversed back.
But the company hasn’t recalled its thousands of chocolate bars which have the new non- vegetarian ingredient and are already thought to be on the shelves. Annette Pinner, chief executive of the Vegetarian Society, said, ‘The position is highly confused. We need to know what’s going to be vegetarian – and when it’s going to be vegetarian. We really want clarity. That’s what is important so that people know Mars can be trusted.”
Mars UK began using animal products in chocolates from May 1. And the company’s advice itself appeared to be too complicated. As per the info provided by the company bars produced in the UK with a “best before” date after October 1 2007 may contain animal rennet. But the company is not too sure about the other bars. However, the customers unsure about the vegetarian suitability of any given bar are advised to call the company’s consumer care telephone number.
Source: Guardian
