Mars Funsize and Milky Way Funsize bars, Snickers Miniatures, some variety packs and Celebrations boxes with best before dates ranging from 8 May 2016 and 2 October 2016 are affected by the recall, and should not be eaten.
Mars Chocolate UK has taken the precautionary step of recalling products produced in the Netherlands that possibly contain pieces of plastic which are a possible choking hazard.
If you have one of the following products then contact Mars’ consumer care team on 0800 952 0084, [email protected] or by post at Mars R1, FREEPOST, Mars Consumer Care:
Product: Mars Funsize
Product code: AV39F
Pack size: Fun size bag 250g
‘Best before’ end: from 11 September 2016 to 2 October 2016
Product: Milky Way Funsize
Product code: AV39J
Pack size: Fun size bag 227g
‘Best before’ end: 2 October 2016
Product: Variety Funsize, Family Favourites
Product code: AV33W
‘Best before’ end: from 29 May 2016 to 14 August 16
Product: Variety Funsize, Party Mix
Product code: AV33T
‘Best before’ end: from 15 May 2016 to 7 August 2016
Product: Celebrations
Product code: AJ46N
Pack size: 388g box
‘Best before’ end: from 8 May 2016 to 28 August 2016
Product: Celebrations
Product code: AJ46R
Pack size: 245g box
‘Best before’ end: from 8 May 2016 to 28 August 2016
Mars UK said in a statement:
“This is an isolated incident.
“No other varieties of chocolate, pack formats or bar sizes are affected in the UK and no other best before dates or products manufactured at any other location are impacted.”
The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) said:
“Mars has just confirmed to the FSA that there has been UK distribution of products recalled in the Netherlands and Germany. We are awaiting full distribution details from the company and will publish advice shortly.”
Alicia Forry, a consumer good analyst at Canaccord Genuity, said Mars was likely to lose up to $2.5m (£1.8m) of sales over the next few months as a result of the recall.
“That estimate rests on the assumption that it is a simple manufacturing fix. If the problem is more serious the recall would drag and the lost sales would go up. In the meantime, we would expect Mondelēz [maker of Cadbury] and Nestle [maker of KitKat], as well as Ferrero, to benefit. Just ahead of Easter, it is not great timing for Mars,” she said.
