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Mars bars are manufactured in Australia by Masterfoods Corporation, the company that makes Mars bars for the Australian market. The major production plant for Mars confectionery products in the country is in Ballarat, Victoria. In 2005, Mars bars were recalled in New South Wales due to an anonymous extortion attempt against the Star City Casino in Sydney. In 2009, the bar's size was reduced from 60g to 53g, and by 2022, it had been reduced further to 47g.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Major production plant in Australia | Ballarat, Victoria |
| Recall in 2005 due to | Extortion attempt against Star City Casino in Sydney |
| Wrapper | Paper-based wrapper |
| Sales increase since 2020 | 18% |
| Size in 2009 | 53 g |
| Size in 2022 | 47 g |
| Petcare division sites in Australia | Wodonga, Victoria; Bathurst, New South Wales; Brisbane, Queensland |
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What You'll Learn
Mars bars are made in Ballarat, Victoria
The Mars Bar was first created in the UK in 1932, based on the American Milky Way bar. The Australian business of the global Mars conglomerate has seen an increase in sales of about 18% since 2020 and is a favourite affordable treat for many Australians.
The Mars Bar has undergone several changes over the years, including a reduction in size in 2009, and a change in logo design. In 2005, the Mars Bar hit the headlines when an anonymous extortionist claimed to have poisoned several bars in New South Wales, leading to a product recall.
The Mars Bar has been a staple of the confectionery world for decades, and its production in Ballarat, Victoria, ensures that it remains a favourite treat for Australians.
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The Mars bar size reduced in Australia in 2009
Mars bars are made in Australia by the Masterfoods Corporation. In Australia, Mars bars have undergone changes in size, logo, and packaging over the years.
In May 2009, the standard size of the Mars bar in Australia was reduced from 60 grams to 53 grams. This change was attributed to portion sizes and the ongoing debate about obesity in the country. The company aimed to address the issue of excessive calories in the bars while maintaining the same price point. This reduction in size was not an isolated incident, as ninety other chocolate products of Mars Australia also underwent similar downsizing.
The Mars bar in Australia continued to shrink, and by 2022, it had further decreased in size to 47 grams. This reduction in size, often referred to as "shrinkflation," has been a strategy employed by several confectionery companies to control costs without significantly impacting sales. While some consumers may be disappointed by the smaller size, others recognize the necessity of portion control and appreciate the efforts to address the obesity issue.
Over the years, the Mars brand logo has also evolved. The logo has undergone several redesigns, starting with a black font in 1932, transitioning to white with a star in 1978, and undergoing a significant change in 1988 with a bombastic red and golden design. The logo was modernized in the early 2000s, adopting a sleeker and more cursive appearance, which has been retained since then.
In addition to size and logo changes, Mars Australia has also made efforts to improve the sustainability of its packaging. In 2023, the company announced a shift from plastic wrappers to paper-based wrappers for its flagship Mars bar. This change was initially rolled out in Australian supermarkets, with the country leading the way for similar moves in other markets.
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Mars Wrigley Australia CFO expects new paper-based wrapper to boost sales
Mars Wrigley Australia CFO Duncan Webster has stated that the company expects a new paper-based wrapper for its flagship Mars bar to boost sales. The wrapper is being introduced as part of a global shift by US-based confectionery giant Mars Inc. towards more sustainable packaging. The Australian arm of the company has seen an 18% increase in sales of its chocolate bars since 2020, and the new wrapper is expected to add further momentum.
The new paper-based wrapper is being rolled out in supermarkets such as Woolworths and Coles, as well as petrol stations and convenience stores across Australia. This move towards more sustainable packaging is in line with Mars Inc.'s commitment to positively impacting the planet. The company has also invested $1 billion to build a new cocoa supply chain model centred on smallholder farmers and has unveiled a multi-million-dollar sustainable dairy plan.
Mars bars have been a popular treat in Australia for generations. The chocolate bar, packed with peanuts, caramel, and nougat, has undergone various changes over the years, including size reductions in 2009 and 2022 to address portion sizes and the obesity debate. In 2005, Mars bars were recalled in New South Wales due to an anonymous extortion attempt, but they quickly returned to shelves after the threat was deemed negligible.
The major production plant for Mars confectionery products in Australia is located in Ballarat, Victoria. The company's commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is evident not only in its packaging but also in its product development and manufacturing processes. The iconic Mars bar is enjoyed by consumers in more than 180 countries, and the company continually works to improve the way it sources, makes, and markets its products.
With the new paper-based wrapper, Mars Wrigley Australia is not just focusing on sustainability but also on maintaining the affordability of its products during inflationary pressures. Chocolate bars are often considered an affordable 'treat', and the company expects consumers to continue spending on them despite economic uncertainties. The new wrapper is a testament to Mars Inc.'s innovation and adaptability, ensuring that its products remain competitive and appealing to consumers in an ever-changing market.
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Mars bars recalled in 2005 due to extortion attempt
Mars bars are manufactured in Australia by Masterfoods Corporation, a subsidiary of Mars, Inc. In July 2005, Mars bars, along with Snickers bars, were recalled due to an anonymous extortion attempt against Star City Casino in Sydney, Australia. The extortionist claimed to have poisoned seven Mars and Snickers bars sold at random stores in New South Wales, prompting the recall by Masterfoods.
The threat was taken seriously, and Food Standards Australia New Zealand oversaw the recall, notifying all NSW retailers and suppliers by phone, fax, and email. Large supermarkets were able to remove the products from shelves within hours, but it took longer to reach smaller stores and vending machines. The contamination threat caused a statewide recall to minimise the risk to the public, with Masterfoods emphasising that the threat was to "poison a member of the public using the popular chocolate bars."
The letters received by the Ballarat office and the police were described as "rambling," and the exact intent was unclear. However, the extortion attempt prompted a swift response from authorities. The recall impacted about 5500 retailers in NSW, and consumers were advised not to purchase the products. The threat was eventually deemed negligible in the latter half of August 2005, and the bars were returned to shelves.
Following the resolution of the extortion attempt, Masterfoods Australia New Zealand took steps to recover from the incident by giving away free chocolate bars in Sydney. This gesture aimed to rebuild consumer trust and confidence in their products after the contamination scare. The recall incident highlights the importance of ensuring food safety and addressing potential threats to protect public health and safety.
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Mars bars are no longer suitable for vegetarians
Mars Bars are confectionery made with milk chocolate, caramel, and nougat. They were first manufactured in the UK and are now available in more than 180 countries. In 2005, Mars Bars were recalled in New South Wales, Australia, due to an anonymous extortion attempt against a casino.
In 2007, Mars UK announced that Mars Bars would no longer be suitable for vegetarians due to the introduction of rennet, a chemical sourced from calves' stomachs and used in the production of whey. This decision was met with criticism from vegetarian groups and consumers, who felt that it was a "backward step" for the company. However, Mars UK soon abandoned these plans and issued an apology, stating that they had made a mistake and that they valued their customers' feedback.
Despite reversing the decision to use animal rennet in Mars Bars, some of Mars' other products, such as Twix, Bounty, Celebrations, Topic, and Milky Way, continued to contain animal products and were not suitable for vegetarians. The company faced criticism for this, with vegetarians expressing disappointment and hoping for a change.
In response to customer feedback, Mars UK committed to ensuring that a selection of favorite brands, including Mars Bars, Snickers, Galaxy, and Maltesers, would be suitable for vegetarians in the future. The company promised to keep consumers informed about their progress and stated that they valued their customers' opinions and choices.
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Frequently asked questions
The major production plant for Mars bars in Australia is in Ballarat, Victoria.
The weight of a Mars bar in Australia has changed over time. In 2009, it was reduced from 60g to 53g. By 2022, it was further reduced to 47g.
Mars bars are made of nougat, caramel, and milk chocolate.
Mars also manufactures Snickers bars in Australia. Additionally, they have introduced products unique to the Australian market, such as Mars Pods and Mars Protein bars.
Mars bars were temporarily unsuitable for vegetarians in the UK in 2007 due to the introduction of rennet, a chemical sourced from calves' stomachs. However, Mars abandoned these plans and the bars are now vegetarian-friendly.
