Mars U-Turn - Consumer Power or Shrewd Marketing Ploy?

So, Mars has done a u-turn (owned by Masterfoods) and conceded that it can't put animal rennet in its products.

Everyone was up in arms - even meat eaters; there was something distinctly unsavoury about a Bounty bar or Twix containing such ingredients.

There are many, me included, who aren't sure whether this isn't just another example of a large company thinking that it would it dip its toe in the water to gauge customers' reactions IF it changed its offering. Anyway, the Vegetarian Society is seeing this as a consumer victory and Mars can play the "we listen to you" card. It's a win:win situation.

Of course, for me, Mars products aren't going to be a big part of my life in future - not that they were before. They were an occasional treat. Now if it were Walkers - purveyors of fine crisps - threatening to put meat stock in its Ready Salted crisps, I'm afraid I would have been phoning that hotline straightaway. Shame on me - a former member of the Vegetarian Society - but at least I am honest!

Must go now as I've got a LighterLife breakfast to have - suitable for vegetarians and an absolutely guilt-free meal!

Comments

[goombagirl]

That's good news. Must have been my email that did it... ho ho. Seriously, it shows that consumer power does have some effect. The kids will be pleased I'll still be making Mars Bar cake.

[Cath]

I'm glad they backtracked - as you say it's a win win situation ..... I wouldn't want to eat my occasional choc bar in the future knowing it contained animal rennet.

Cath