Sofia Martinez
In 2016, Snickers hit the headlines when plastic was found in one of its chocolate bars. This discovery led to a recall of its products in 55 countries, primarily in Europe. The incident sparked a viral conspiracy theory and caused a significant stir, with some people even burning Snickers bars. However, Mars Inc. has since debunked the rumours, assuring the public that it was an isolated incident relating only to Snickers bars manufactured in the Netherlands during a limited production period.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic found in Snickers bar | Yes, in 2016 |
| Countries affected | 55 |
| Recall by Lidl | Mars and Snickers six-pack chocolate bars |
| Hoax | Yes, in 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic found in Snickers bars in 2016
In 2016, Mars Inc. recalled chocolate bars in 55 countries, mainly in Europe, due to a choking hazard. This was because a piece of red plastic was found in a Snickers bar in Germany. The recall affected all Mars and Snickers products, Milky Way Minis and Miniatures, as well as certain kinds of Celebrations confectionery boxes. The best-before dates for the recalled products ranged from 19 June 2016 to 8 January 2017. However, these dates may not be the same in other countries.
The recall was a precautionary measure, but it had significant financial costs, likely running into tens of millions of dollars. The cost came directly from the recall process, the loss of writing off products, and lost sales due to reputational damage.
The plastic was traced back to a factory in the southern Dutch town of Veghel, where it was determined that the piece came from a protective cover used in the manufacturing process. All of the recalled products were manufactured at this factory.
This was the first time Mars had to recall products made at its Veghel factory, which opened in 1963 and employs about 1,200 people. The recall did not extend to the US.
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Mars recalls products in 55 countries
In 2016, Mars Inc. recalled chocolate bars and other products in 55 countries, mainly in Europe, as a precaution to avoid customers choking after a piece of plastic was found in a Snickers bar in Germany. The recall was said to be a precautionary and voluntary decision by Mars to avoid customers choking. The recall affected products with best-before dates from 19 June 2016 to 8 January 2017.
The plastic was traced back to the company's factory in the southern Dutch town of Veghel, where it was determined that the piece came from a protective cover used in the manufacturing process. Products affected include bars of Mars, Milky Way, Snickers, Celebrations, and Mini Mix.
The recall was expected to cost the company tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue. Alicia Forry, a consumer goods analyst at Canaccord Genuity, estimated that Mars would lose up to $2.5 million (£1.8 million) in sales over the following months. However, James, a spokesperson for Mars, doubted that there would be any long-term impact on the company's reputation, citing the cleverness of the company's statement appealing to the public to return the affected products.
The recall was not limited to Europe, as it also affected countries like Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The company's website appeared to strain under pressure following the announcement, with pages not responding. People took to social media to express concern and ridicule the recall.
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The Netherlands factory affected
In 2016, Mars Inc. recalled chocolate bars and other products in 55 countries, predominantly in Europe, due to a choking hazard. This recall was initiated after a piece of plastic was discovered in a Snickers bar in Germany. The Netherlands factory was the source of the affected Snickers bars, and this incident was the first of its kind to impact the facility.
Mars Netherlands issued a statement expressing uncertainty about whether the plastic was limited to that specific Snickers bar. As a precaution, they decided to recall all products, including Mars and Snickers multipacks, Milky Way Minis and Miniatures, and certain varieties of Celebrations. The recall pertained to products with best-before dates ranging from May 29, 2016, to August 28, 2016, and only affected items produced during a limited timeframe: December 5, 2015, to January 18, 2016.
The decision to recall the products was voluntary and taken in collaboration with the Dutch food safety authority. Mars Netherlands emphasized that no other chocolate varieties, pack formats, or bar sizes were impacted, and the issue was confined to products manufactured within the specified timeframe at the Netherlands factory.
This incident was not an isolated event, as similar recalls have occurred in the past by companies like Nestle and Cadbury. Time delays between customer complaints and recalls are relatively common due to fraudulent notices about foreign objects in food. Nonetheless, consumer product recalls can significantly damage a company's reputation and finances.
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Lidl recalls Snickers six-packs
Lidl UK recalled Mars six-pack chocolate bars and Snickers six-pack chocolate bars in February 2016. The recall was due to the possibility of the chocolate bars containing pieces of plastic. The Snickers bars weighed 300g and had 'best before' dates of 10 July 2016 and 24 July 2016. The Mars bars weighed 270g and had 'best before' dates of 4 September 2016, 25 September 2016, 9 October 2016, and 16 October 2016. No other varieties of chocolate, pack formats, or bar sizes were affected by the recall in Lidl UK.
The recall was initiated by Mars Chocolate Germany, which discovered that a customer in Germany found bits of plastic in a Snickers bar in January 2016. The contamination was traced back to the Mars factory in the southern town of Veghel in the Netherlands. As a result, Mars decided to recall a range of products manufactured at the Veghel factory, including fun-size packs of Mars and Milky Way bars and boxes of Celebrations.
The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) advised consumers not to consume the affected products and to contact Mars' consumer care team for further assistance. Mars Chocolate issued an apology to customers, stating that they regretted any inconvenience caused and offered their sincere apologies.
This incident was not an isolated one, as Mars had previously recalled chocolate bars and other products in 55 countries, mainly in Europe, in February 2016. The initial recall was a precautionary measure to prevent customers from choking after a piece of plastic was found in a Snickers bar in Germany.
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Hoax videos resurface in 2018
In 2016, Mars Inc. recalled Snickers bars from 55 countries, mainly in Europe, after a piece of plastic was found in a Snicker bar in Germany. This recall was a precautionary measure to avoid customers choking on any foreign objects in their food.
In 2018, an old video from 2016 resurfaced, claiming that Snickers bars contained plastic. This video was a hoax, as Mars Inc. confirmed that the incident was isolated to some Snickers made in the Netherlands during a limited production period. The company's decision to recall the product was a precautionary measure to ensure customer safety and maintain their quality requirements.
Unfortunately, the hoax video was not an isolated incident. In recent years, there have been stories resurfacing claiming that Snickers candy bars cause cancer. These stories are also hoaxes, as there is no evidence to support these claims. The original video from 2016 that showed Snickers bars being burned was due to the recall over plastic contamination and not because they caused cancer. However, subsequent videos circulating with the cancer claim used the original video without editing it, leading people to incorrectly assume that the candy bars were being destroyed due to health risks.
The spread of misinformation through these hoax videos can have significant impacts on public health and the reputation of companies like Mars Inc. It is important for individuals to verify the information they receive through social media and other sources to prevent the spread of false claims.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Snickers does not have plastic in it. In 2016, plastic was found in some Snickers bars made in the Netherlands, prompting a precautionary recall of products in 55 countries. This was an isolated incident, and no other Snickers products were affected.
A piece of plastic was found in a Snickers bar in Germany, which could have potentially caused customers to choke. As a result, Mars Inc. decided to recall a selection of chocolate products produced in their Netherlands factory to avoid any potential health risks.
No, the recall was not related to cancer. In 2018, a video from 2016 resurfaced showing people in Gaza burning boxes of Snickers. False claims were made that the candy was being destroyed due to cancer risks, when in fact, it was related to the plastic contamination issue.
Yes, Snickers are safe to consume. The 2016 incident was an isolated event, and no other varieties of chocolate, pack formats, or bar sizes were affected. Mars Inc. took immediate action to recall the affected products and ensure the safety of its consumers.
