A 55-Country Recall: U.S.-Based Mars, Inc. Recalls Millions Of Mars, Snickers, And Milky Way Chocolate Candy Bars

There’s a huge recall of candy bars and boxes of chocolates from Mars, Inc. The recall might affect a wide range of candies, such as the fun-size version of Milky Way bars as well as Mars candy bars in the U.K. — and boxes of the candies called Celebrations. However, the recall has not affected the U.S. The recall was prompted after a person in Germany discovered plastic bits in a Snickers bar in January, and the plastic was discovered to have come from the Netherlands — where the recall affected Mars and Snickers candy bars, as well.

Recall alert: #Mars and #Snickers bars recalled in 55 countrieshttps://t.co/a97829V5Xa via @IvanaKottasova pic.twitter.com/nXoP0oGtQr

— CNN Business (@CNNBusiness) February 23, 2016

The candy factory in the Netherlands — in the southern town of Veghel — is the only one being focused upon as the source of the plastic, with only candies coming out of the Dutch plant being recalled. That’s why the recall affects mostly European countries, and none in the United States.

As seen in the above photo from 2014, whereby Mini Snickers are produced at the Mars Chocolate North America Topeka Plant near Topeka, Kansas, Mars, Inc. has plants all over the world. However, it was a spokesperson for Mars Netherlands that explained why the huge recall was undertaken out of an abundance of caution.

“We cannot be sure that this plastic was only in that particular Snickers. We do not want any products on the market that may not meet our quality requirements, so we decided to take them all back.”

As reported by CNN Money, the candy recall was initially announced in Germany, and then was widened to include other countries. The recall affects millions of chocolate products — including the popular Mars, Snickers, and Milky Way chocolate candy bars.

Mars manufacturer recalls Dutch-made chocolate bars from 55 countries after plastic pieces found https://t.co/WTkTu6qzVx

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) February 23, 2016

The recall of the candy was voluntary, as Mars Inc. grew concerned about not causing a choking hazard to any of its customers, reports the Associated Press.

The reaction of the recall from the candy-maker is being met with applause by some who are making their opinions heard on social media about the matter. Certain folks note the derision that they claim is being spewed by people who don’t eat candy.

As written by Jodi Jill, a Celebrity Columnist, the candy recall has brought out the worst in some people who are using the recall as an opportunity to brag about being safe because they don’t eat sugar in the first place.

“The Mars and Snickers bars are being pulled off the shelves in Europe. It’s nice to see the Mars company is doing the right thing by making sure their product is edible.

“Do you know what is the weirdest thing about the Mars inc candy recall? The snarky remarks from people who don’t eat sugar on social media. Claiming all sorts of rubbish about their lifestyle, several are bragging they were never impacted because sugar kills and people who eat candy deserve this risk. Apparently quite a few of the low-sugar, no sugar folks are so distorted about their superior eating habits that they wish bad things on others. That’s just weird!!!”

Others, like Anand Shah, were concerned with their local, U.S.-based Mars, Inc. plant, although the most recent reports say that the candy sold in America isn’t a part of the recall as of this writing.

“As far as the Mars plant in Topeka, they haven’t spoken on this, yet, per local news media. Our City has given them millions of $$$ in incentives……”

The recall affects Mars, Snickers, and Milky Way candy bars that have “best before” dates of June to October 2016 — so consumers in the regions discussed are urged to check their candy and not eat it if those dates appear and they are in the countries discussed. Along with those popular candy bars, packs of Celebration and Variety are also a part of the recall, reports ABC News.

Many people are likely taking comfort in the fact that they might have already eaten their recalled candy bars without issue.

[Photo by AP Photo/Orlin Wagner]