Label

Introduction of vegetarian labelling on our leading UK confectionery brands - August 2007

Since the beginning of 2008, some of our best known chocolate snacks – including Mars bars, Snickers bars, Galaxy and Maltesers – now feature the words ‘Suitable for Vegetarians' and a letter ’'V' printed before the best before date, based on the guidance from the Food Standards Agency, relating to vegetarian labelling.

We introduced the scheme in response to feedback we received in 2007, when we announced that some of our products might not be suitable for vegetarians. This was a result of changing the supply source of some of the whey we use to make chocolate from a vegetarian-friendly variety to one with traces of rennet, an animal enzyme.

Having listened to concerns from more than 6000 of our consumers, we quickly realised we had made a mistake, we apologised, and we immediately reversed the decision. As a result of changing back to our vegetarian-friendly whey, Mars bars, Snickers bars, Galaxy and Maltesers are once again suitable for vegetarians.

As a company, we believe in clear, transparent labelling and we introduced this initiative because we want to make products suitable for vegetarians.

The vegetarian labelling appears on the back of pack where nutritional information, including Guideline Daily Amounts and ingredients is also listed. The labelling is applied to products which meet the FSA’s guidance on vegetarian labelling.

Please click here for Food Standards Agency definition of vegetarian.

Please click here for our Consumer Careline contact details.

Please click here for our previous statement relating to this issue– May 2007