Mars will launch a new range of lower calorie chocolate bars next month to avoid the government's latest crackdown on unhealthy snacks.
The company's "Triple Treat" range will include new versions of Mars, Bounty, Snickers and Galaxy bars, and will be available exclusively in Tesco supermarkets. The new formulation Mars bar will be 22 percent smaller and contain 24 per cent fewer calories. However, it will cost 80p rather than the 65p charged for a standard bar. The company said the higher price was justified because it had used more expensive ingredients, such as date paste, raisins and peanuts in the new version.
From October, foods considered high in salt, fat or sugar, including Mars's traditional bars, will be banned from checkouts, store entrances and the ends of aisles(过道) under government plans to control the obesity crisis.
The NHS (National Health Service) spends more than £6 billion a year treating obesityrelated ill health. The government says that children in the poorest parts of the country are more than twice as likely to be obese as their peers in the wealthiest areas. Kerry Cavanaugh, Mars Wrigley UK Marketing Director, said: "Triple Treat does exactly what it says on the tin-it's packed with a trio of fruit, nuts and our iconic chocolate, and is delightfully delicious to boot. At Mars Wrigley, we're thrilled that Brits can now enjoy a great tasting-and health-friendly-Galaxy, Mars, Snickers and Bounty treat. Per 100g, the new Mars will contain 37 per cent less fat, 30 per cent less sugar and 55 per cent less salt than the original bar. Mars has developed the range over the past 18 months to ensure that it can continue placing its chocolate snacks in prominent locations in stores."
Other candy and chocolate giants have struggled to make products that are in accordance with the government's new rules. In 2019 Mondelez released Cadbury Dairy Milk with 30 per cent less sugar yet learnt that it was still in trouble when the criteria were confirmed two years later.