Mars products still not suitable for veggies -- set to lose 3 million customers
Despite persistent poking from the Vegetarian Society, chocolate giant Mars is still putting animal rennet -- a substance derived from calves' stomachs -- in some of its top selling products, it was reported today.
All hell broke loose for Mars last year, when a decision to quietly add the ingredient to previously veggie-friendly products including Malteesers and Galaxy bars was rumbled and made public by unhappy vegetarians. Eventually, the company backed down and withdrew its decision. But it has since emerged that several products remain unsuitable for non meat eaters. The offending lines include Milky Way, Celebrations and Twix.
Mars defended its position by saying that 'at no stage have we claimed that they are suitable for vegetarians or would be'. But the Vegetarian Society still wants to persuade Mars' parent company Masterfoods to make all bars veggie-friendly. I wish them luck, and wonder why Mars is still refusing to change its position in the face of losing the custom of 3 million British vegetarians. I certainly won't be chomping on any more Milky Ways, despite how much I adore the things, and am certain others will boycott the products too.
