Talk:Mars Inc./Archives/2012

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Rennet Controversy

Masterfoods has recently begun using rennet (an animal product - from the stomachs of calves, specifically) in many of their products.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6653175.stm

The article currently tells us

'From 1 May 2007, many Mars products in the UK, and reportedly across Europe[citation needed], became unsuitable for vegetarians, Jews[citation needed] and Muslims[citation needed]. The company announced that they will be using rennet' (etc)

I'm responsible for the tags, but they perhaps need a little explanation:

'reportedly across Europe' - OK. this probably doesn't need much explanation. Can we have a source please? If it's been reported, then we can quote where that report was.

'became unsuitable for vegetarians, Jews and Muslims'. Firstly, my apologies if I show cultural or religious insensitivity here. But it seems to me that it's obvious why an animal derived product is not suitable for vegetarians. It's less obvious to me (coming from a Western European, non-Islamic, non-Jewish, background) why rennet from cattle should be unacceptable for Jews or Muslims. My limited understanding of the Halal and Kosher dietary rules is that pig derived products are always unacceptable. I do know that Kosher rules can rule foods out because of the mixing of products - maybe there is a similar restriction in Halal rules? But as we're writing an encyclopedia here, more explanation would seem to be needed.

Once again, my apologies if in any way I have been insensitive - but in an encyclopedia, surely we need clarity. Grblundell 19:12, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

You don't need to apologize nearly that much, I don't think ANYTHING in your comment could be construed as offensive. With regards to your question, Kosher rules do not allow the mixing of meat and milk. Apparently Halal does not have a prohibition on the mixing of milk and meat. However, Kosher rules do allow rennet that is not from animal sources, and Halal rules do require that animal rennet be obtained from animals that are halal.
See: http://www.ou.org/kosher/primer.html and http://www.meatami.com/content/presscenter/factsheets/animalhandlingreligiousslaughter.pdf

Jo7hs2 (talk) 05:19, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

I'm going to recommend that the portion regarding the rennet controversy be deleted. The controversy has been resolved, and as there is no continuing harm, it seems pointless to leave it in the encyclopedia. Jo7hs2 (talk) 05:23, 21 November 2007 (UTC)

It most definitely should not be removed! It's very clear that this wiki page is being moderated by Mars Inc Employees, the criticism section has been abbreviated of the extent of controversy related to the animal testing they are conducting. Take a look at the criticism section of lucas arts and you'll quickly realize that something is odd in the fact that the criticism section is very general and almost watered down when read. If anything it needs to be increased, rather than do it myself I'll await to hear common opinion. JayAlto (talk) 19:59, 25 July 2009 (UTC)

The Metro article used as a citation no longer works. Are there any other sources that show Mars as beginning to use animal-based rennet again? 213.48.114.68 (talk) 16:10, 24 June 2009 (UTC)
This article [http://www.flex-news-food.com/pages/13566/Mars/uk-animal-rennet-used-mars-twix-milky-celebrations.html} states that as of Jan 15, 2008, 3 Mars products still contained animal rennet. I disagree that this controversy has been resolved unless there is newer information to that effect. Bob98133 (talk) 16:24, 24 June 2009 (UTC)
Thanks. Also see http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=83912&in_page_id=34 - not down. Broken link. Can someone with administrative privs fix that?

EFFEM foods

Mars is a subsidary of this larger entity.

  • Not any more, EFFEM is now known as Masterfoods
    • In Canada the company goes by Effem Inc.

MEI division was recently sold

The MEI division was recently sold to Bain Capital and Advantage Partners. Shortly after Mars acquired two petcare companies: Doane Petcare and NuTec S&M.


http://www.eurokiosks.org/06press/art05-04-2006.html


http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2006/04/24/daily22.html

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/14540730.htm


Ethel M

I'm wondering if the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Garden should be added under this article, as well as Ethel M as a brand of Mars, Incorporated. Wyldphyre 23:23, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes, probably, though it is quite small and therre are many larger businesses not covered. Ethel M was started by Forrest Mars Snr after he left the business in the hands of his sons. He said that he did not want Snickers on his epitaph and wanted to make high quality chocolates. He lived over the factory in Las Vegas for many years. The business was not successful and was bought by Mars, Inc after some years. It seems that his sons did not want to see him fail.ken 09:09, 1 July 2006 (UTC)

M&M Mars?

Didn’t the company used to have the name M&M/Mars or M&M-Mars or something? Or is that a different company, or something else entirely? —Frungi 17:10, 6 July 2006 (UTC)

I think you're right; it was called M&M Mars in the past. -- Dominus 13:02, 7 July 2006 (UTC)
  • Anyone with clear memory, like me, can tell you that's correct. The "M&M/MARS" logo appeared on packages until 2003, when Masterfoods USA took its place, but the logo still appears on boxes for transporting products occasionally (this kind of thing happens with other companies too). 67.41.213.180 14:36, 23 November 2006 (UTC)

Discussion moved from the top

"The company has come under some criticism for not offering any Fairtrade branded products." This should be sourced, if true.

"Their main confectionary plant in Chicago was recently shut down for health code violations. A recent streak of poor press resulted from actions against CocoaVia and lead levels in candy produced in their Mexican plant." Is this appropriate? It seems like transient news and not useful in Wikipedia. I will remove unless someone has strong arguments why it should stay. wycombe 00:18, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

The Mars bar is called "Milky Way" in the US and the Milky Way is called the "3 Musketeers".


This isn't right is it ? I'm sure I've had a Mars bar in the US and it has been nearly identical to the one in the UK. I've not had a Milky Way or 3 Musketeers though. Mintguy 14:59, 3 Sep 2003 (UTC)

  • I think you're right. Dominus 15:48, 3 Sep 2003 (UTC)
    • It looks like I'm wrong. What us Brits know as a Mars Bar is similar to what the Americans call Milky Way. And what we call Milky Way is similar ro a 3 Musketeers (which is unknown in the UK). But there's no one to one mapping with these products. The Mars Bar with almonds available in the US is not available in Britain. Mintguy 16:39, 3 Sep 2003 (UTC)
some sites
http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node=Mars%20bar
http://totl.net/VisibleMars/
http://www.oregonl5.org/mist/marsbar.html
http://www.cybercandy.co.uk/aaasmt/index.php/urk_indprod?xlc=572
  • As I understand it, the Mars Bar in the US (which I believe is now out of production (?)), was/is what us Brits know as the Topic, but with almonds substituted for hazlenuts--Britstyx 22:36, 29 July 2006 (UTC)
  • Uhhhh...I live in Canada, and all those chocolate (three musketeers, Mars Bar and Milky way) are seperate kinds here. I know this is an older discussion, but I am doing a small report for my business class, so I want as much info as possible. Carbunkel 21:28, 23 December 2005 (UTC)
    • Milky Way is not sold by Mars to Canadian retailers, however sometimes large retailers import it from American retailers

Missing info

This article lacks some information about press scandals like other company articles have. Every company has a bad side and it should be mentioned here, since we do not need to advertise for companies. I believe working conditions is quite a problem in some Mars brands, maybe someone has some verfiable information? Here's two pages about cocoa, but something from a more neutral press would be better: [1] [2]--84.178.77.254 21:30, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

This comment seems like a fishing expedition for something bad. So far as I am aware, Mars's wage rates and working conditions are well above average. I do not believe there are any scandals about this company, but if anyone has any verifiable information that is important to understand the organisation, they sholud post it. Unless this happens within a few weeks, the note on the front page should be removed. wycombe 03:36, 24 February 2007 (UTC)

Disclaimer: I do work for Mars (which is why I won't edit the page directly). But I will respond to this point by saying that the working conditions at Mars are very good. Day to day wages, at least in my division, are at or slightly below industry average but the pension and health plans make it worth sticking around. From what I've seen, Mars does seem to have a much lower staff turnover rates than other companies. 79.77.191.159 (talk) 22:14, 13 May 2008 (UTC)


Is there a reason why the allegations that they use child slavery in Africa as a cheap source aren't here? 89.242.175.161 (talk) 12:42, 11 November 2009 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Logo mars.gif

Image:Logo mars.gif is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 05:25, 1 July 2007 (UTC)

124.176.238.160 (talk) 13:13, 9 May 2008 (UTC)The main thing about Mars and other confectionary companies is that they don't do much to prevent tooth decay and do a lot to cause it. Tooth decay is the most common of diseases affecting every family.

Everyone knows chewing causes food to be trapped between teeth displacing previously trapped food that is changed to acid demineralisation of tooth.

Very little food is trapped inside grooves on chewing surfaces where 80% of cavities occur and the brush cannot reach.

However chewing fibre like celery after eating helps force saliva inside grooves and between teeth to help saliva dilute sugar, neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth.

www.supertoothndk.org is a website of Supertooth and good food friends which shows how confectiones can help consumers protect teeth before and after eating, but they are making plenty pf profits without making their products tooth friendly.

Fair use rationale for Image:Mars CandyLogo.jpg

Image:Mars CandyLogo.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

A historical note. The Mars candy factory was/is on Naragansett Ave. on the far west side of Chicago. I lived my childhood in the neighboring village Oak Park. My father, Clarence Schilke, was an Oak Park policeman, joining the force in 1929. I came along the following year. During the depression years, the late thirties and up into the early forties, a Mars executive, possible Forrest Mars, had become a police aficionado.

Life for a police officer and his family in those days was not overly abundant. I well remember conversation about the village running out of money and my dad being paid in "tax anticipation warrants". Only some local retailers accepted them. But at Christmas-time, along came a most wondrous gift. Cases upon cases of Mars candy were delivered to the 60 member Oak Park police department and as a growing boy my eyes bulged when my dad brought home an entire case of delicious candy. That is a fact, and while my memory cannot vouch for it, I think free chocolate candy from Mars came at Easter too.

Another police/law enforcement connection originated at Mars. It was called the Mars light. At that time, a single round globe with a blinking or rotating red light sat atop all the Oak Park squad cars. It was replaced during this same period by a bar with several rotating lights. Today all police vehicles use them. The assumption at the time, and maybe even today among those my age (78), was that Mr. Mars had paid attention to feedback from his police friends and met their needs with a superior warning system. Don Schilke, dlschilke24@verizon.net 71.100.226.89 (talk) 15:58, 2 May 2008 (UTC)

BetacommandBot 08:26, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

Criticism - Weasel Words?

I just read through this section and couldn't find the weasel words this banner refers to. If they were obvious enough to place a banner, perhaps they could have just been removed, or maybe they were? Anybody see weaselness here? If not, let's get rid of the banner.Bob98133 (talk) 12:32, 6 May 2008 (UTC)

Medi-Cal

Medi-Cal is a Canadian company that produces pet foods

Medi-Cal is a Canadian company established by veterinarians to develop therapeutic and preventive diets of unsurpassed quality for cats and dogs. Veterinary Medical Diets produces a complete line of Medi-Cal pet foods which provide optimum nutrition essential for pets’ health and well-being.

Medi-Cal (Royal Canin) produces a comprehensive line of veterinary exclusive lifestage and therapeutic diets of exceptional quality. These diets are designed to be key components in the total veterinary health care plan for dogs and cats. The diet formulations are based on the scientific expertise of the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, the Royal Canin Campus, and clinical trials conducted by Medi-Cal/Royal Canin.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Medi-Cal See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Canin

Cdnrav4x4 (talk) 16:59, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

This morning, I created an article entitled, "Medi-Cal (prescription pet food)" - a Mars company located in Canada. This afternoon Wikipedia deleted my article stating: "There are multiple independent sources of expert third-party arm's-length opinion that attest to the widespread cultural knowledge surrounding a Mars Bar, and not for your animal food product; Your argument doesn't carry any weight here according to the policy found at WP:WAX. A tag has been placed on your article entitled, Medi-Cal (Prescription Pet Food), requesting that it be "speedily" deleted from Wikipedia. This has been done because the article seems to be "blatant advertising" that only promotes a product or company and would need to be fundamentally rewritten in order to become an encyclopedia article. You are directed to read the guidelines on spam."

My article read:

Medi-Cal (prescription pet food) is a product of Veterinary Medical Diets (VMD) that produces nutritional pet foods for cats and dogs. VMD is a Canadian business originally established by veterinarians to develop therapeutic pet food diets. Medi-Cal, now owned by Royal Canin - a division of Mars/Masterfood Group, produces various life-stage and therapeutic pet foods. These diets are designed to be key components in the total veterinary health care plan for cats and dogs. The diet formulations are based on the scientific expertise of the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, the Royal Canin Campus, and other clinical trials.

See also Wikipedia articles entitled: Royal Canin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Canin) Mars, Incorporated (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars%2C_Incorporated)

External links Medi-Cal Official Website (http://www.medi-cal.ca/) WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition Official Website (http://www.waltham.com/) Royal Canin Campus Official Website (http://www.royalcanin.com.au/campus.htm/)

Would you be interested in exploring the possibility of restoring this Wikipedia article? I have been a customer of Medi-Cal for many, many years.

Cdnrav4x4 (talk) 06:32, 28 June 2008 (UTC)

Company history

Hi. Just a note that a better source could be added sometime for the Mars Candy Factory closing. This section might also be missing an explicit statement about the significance of mass-produced filled candy bars. Maybe someone with a source can add that sometime? That his mother taught Mr. Mars how to dip candy is a great story. Best wishes. -SusanLesch (talk) 16:26, 7 October 2008 (UTC)

someone needs to add info of wrigley

Wrigley is a division of Mars now. this article needs to be updated134.71.92.112 (talk) 00:56, 24 January 2009 (UTC)

Small annoyance

"Mars is most famous for its eponymous Mars Bar" Is there, or should there be, a prohibition against using the word eponymous in Wikipedia?wycombe (talk) 22:53, 24 August 2009 (UTC)


Unsourced info.

This paragraph:

Mars has come under criticism by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals for funding animal tests which the group alleges are inhumane, including a study regarding angiogenesis and spatial memory in which mice were force fed catechins, a candy ingredient, compelled to swim in paint, then dissected.[23] Other experiments involved life-threatening cardiac puncture of mice with inadequate anesthesia. These experiments are not required by law. PETA alleges that their only purpose is to promote increased consumption of Mars' products and that harmless tests can be done on humans.

is unsourced. (The reference is to a scientific paper, not PETA's allegations or responses to same.) Without sourcing, it should be removed. Dcfleck (talk) 03:08, 10 November 2009 (UTC)

The info about Mars conducting these experiments is referenced. PETA's reaction is the criticism. I suppose that PETA's reaction could be referenced as well,which I think makes more sense than removing this text. Bob98133 (talk) 14:07, 10 November 2009 (UTC)
I've requested a source. I think the usual procedure is to wait some period of time, and if the source is not provided, remove the material. I'd give it at least a couple of months given that this discussion is two years old. Kendall-K1 (talk) 12:14, 23 November 2011 (UTC)

Spillers is not a MARS brand

I am pretty sure Spillers (Winalot) is owned by Purina/Nestle, not MARS. 76.168.234.64 (talk) 08:32, 30 March 2010 (UTC)

Are Schuyler products owned by Mars?

I am curious about the Mars connection to the Schuyler products: FirstShield Glenhaven Hannah Pharmaceuticals (Rejuvenate, Worm Shield) These are all products only used and sold in Banfield Pet Hospitals (Mars). AJillie (talk) 07:02, 2 April 2010 (UTC)

Article Structure

Would recommend to restructure the article which is a bit messy. French version is a good model for it. Richieman (talk) 13:05, 20 March 2011 (UTC)

Chappy or Chappie

Never heard of 'Chappy'. Is that a typo?

        1. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 85.210.200.156 (talk) 16:55, 19 May 2011 (UTC)
Yes, you are correct. I removed it because it is a brand of Pedigree Petfoods. Thanks for reporting! InverseHypercube 23:21, 19 May 2011 (UTC)

Amateurish Article

One of the most poorly written pieces I've seen in Wikipedia. "It [Orbit gum] has been around for a while..." Are you serious? — Preceding unsigned comment added by Orthotox (talk • contribs) 07:29, 15 November 2011 (UTC)

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