Mars Slims Down: No More King Size Candy Bars

In news that can only make Michelle Obama happy as a clam, Mars Inc., the maker of such delightful confections as Twix, M&Ms, and the Snickers candy bar, is going to halt all production on chocolate snacks exceeding a 250 calorie ceiling by the end of next year, according to a spokeswoman for the company on Wednesday.

Mars Inc., based out of McClean, Virginia, has said that the effort is a part of an ongoing quest to improve both the nutritional value of their products as well as the responsible sale thereof. Company pokeswoman Marlene Machut said the plan to stop shipping any chocolate product over the 250 calorie limit by the end of 2013 was part of Mars’ “broad-based commitment to health and nutrition.”

What does Mars’ new diet mean for us small-time folk? The new calorie limit means that you won’t be able to purchase a guilty 540-calorie king-size candy bar next time your sweet tooth calls for it. By 2014, king-size snacking goes kaput, thanks to what Mars says is a broader push for responsible snacking.

This initiative has been on the books since at least 2007 when the company announced that it would stop buying advertising space if more than a quarter of the projected audience was likely to be under 12 years old. Mars has also said that it’s going to cut sodium out of its products by 25% before 2015.

So stock up on those king-sized candies now, dear reader! This is still America! (Until 2013 anyway).

Are you going to miss the king-sized candy bar?