Ruqayyah Snyder
M&M's are a popular chocolate candy that was first introduced internationally to Australia in the 1980s. The major production plant for Mars confectionery products in Australia is in Ballarat, Victoria. However, in 2020, it was revealed that some M&M products, such as the M&M chocolate blocks, were being manufactured in China, causing outrage among customers who expected their chocolate to be made in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| M&M's manufacturer | Mars |
| M&M's chocolate block launch year in Australia | 2017 |
| M&M's chocolate block country of origin | China |
| M&M's major production plant in Australia | Ballarat, Victoria |
| M&M's introduction in Australia | 1980s |
| M&M's flavour in Australia | Caramel |
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What You'll Learn
M&Ms chocolate blocks made in China
M&Ms are a popular chocolate confectionery brand produced by Mars, Inc. The company introduced M&M chocolate blocks in Australia in 2017. However, it was later discovered that these chocolate blocks were made in China, sparking outrage among some Australian consumers.
The shift in production to China was not initially disclosed to customers, who only found out by reading the fine print on the product labels. This discovery led to a backlash, with some Australians expressing their disappointment and vowing to boycott the product. Some customers went as far as to throw away the chocolate blocks they had purchased upon realising they were made in China.
The main concerns raised by customers included the taste of the Chinese-made product, with some reviewers claiming it was "not memorable" and "too sweet." Others felt that the price of the chocolate blocks did not reflect the quality, especially given that they were made in China. There were also concerns about the potential impact of outsourcing production on Australian jobs.
Mars, Inc. has defended their decision to manufacture the M&M chocolate blocks in China, stating that they remain committed to manufacturing many of their products in Australia, including their classic ball-shaped Maltesers, which are still made at their Ballarat facility in Victoria. The company has also attributed the shift in production of certain products, such as Snickers bars, to upgrades in their Australian factories.
While some Australian customers have expressed their displeasure at the China-made M&M chocolate blocks, others seem to have embraced them. There are reports of Australians sharing the chocolate blocks with friends in other countries, particularly the United States, where people enjoyed the product and wanted more.
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M&Ms manufactured in Australia for 40+ years
M&Ms have been manufactured in Australia for over 40 years. The company Mars, which owns M&Ms, has been the second-largest confectionery manufacturer in the country. The major production plant for Mars confectionery products in Australia is in Ballarat, Victoria. The company has also stated that they are committed to manufacturing their products domestically.
Mars introduced M&Ms to the Australian market in the 1980s. Since then, the company has been manufacturing M&Ms in Australia. However, in recent years, some customers have discovered that some of Mars' products, including M&Ms, are now being made in other countries, such as China and Egypt. This shift in production has prompted outrage from customers, who claim that the new products do not taste the same as the originals.
The classic ball-shaped Maltesers are still made at the Mars Ballarat facility in Victoria. Mars has also stated that they are investing in their factory in Australia and ensuring that they can continue to manufacture their products in the country. The company has a total of three sites in Australia, with the other two located in Wodonga, Victoria, and Bathurst, New South Wales. These sites are used for the manufacture of wet and dry pet food, respectively.
Over the years, Mars has expanded its M&Ms brand in Australia, releasing M&Ms chocolate blocks in 2017. The company has also introduced various M&Ms flavours to the Australian market, including Pretzel M&Ms in 2010, Coffee Nut M&Ms in 2016, and Caramel M&Ms in 2017.
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Ballarat factory in Victoria
The major production plant for Mars confectionery products in Australia is in Ballarat, Victoria. Mars has been manufacturing M&Ms and other popular chocolate brands in Australia for more than 40 years. However, in 2020, it was discovered that some of their products, including M&Ms chocolate blocks, were being made in China and Egypt.
The Ballarat factory in Victoria is committed to manufacturing M&Ms, Maltesers, Pods, Mars, and Milky Way products. The classic ball-shaped Maltesers are produced at the Ballarat facility, while the Maltesers bars are manufactured in China.
The company has stated that they are transparent about where their products are made, with the country of origin listed on every product label. During the upgrade of the Snickers production line at the Ballarat factory, Snickers bars were temporarily sourced from their Jiaxing facility in China.
The shift in production to overseas facilities has been met with criticism from customers, who believe that Mars is sacrificing Australian jobs in pursuit of higher profits. Some have also expressed disappointment with the taste of the M&Ms chocolate blocks made in China.
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M&Ms introduced to Australia in the 1980s
M&Ms were introduced to Australia in the 1980s as part of a brand harmonization strategy that saw the candy expand into the Asia Pacific, Europe, and Russia. This internationalization effort built on the product's success in the United States, where it had become a household name and even ventured into space with the first shuttle astronauts.
The introduction of M&Ms to Australia in the 1980s marked a significant milestone in the candy's journey towards becoming a global phenomenon. This expansion beyond its initial American market demonstrated the company's recognition of the potential for international growth and the appeal of its unique, colorful candies worldwide.
During the 1980s, M&Ms quickly established themselves as a popular treat in Australia, alongside other markets they expanded to during this period, including Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. This international success laid the foundation for further product innovation and diversification in the coming decades.
In the years following their introduction to Australia, M&Ms continued to evolve and adapt to local tastes and preferences. For example, in 1995, tan M&Ms were discontinued in Australia and replaced by blue M&Ms, a change that was accompanied by a promotional campaign featuring the new blue color. This demonstrated the brand's willingness to adapt its offerings to different markets and stay relevant to local consumers.
By the early 2000s, M&Ms had firmly established themselves as a beloved chocolate brand in Australia, with the classic ball-shaped Maltesers and M&Ms bars becoming iconic treats. However, in the 2020s, some consumers expressed disappointment when they discovered that production had shifted for certain products, including M&Ms chocolate blocks, to countries like China and Egypt. This shift in production drew criticism from customers who felt that the new tastes were inferior and that the company was prioritizing profits over Australian jobs.
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M&Ms chocolate candies chosen for first space shuttle
M&M's chocolate candies have been a popular treat for astronauts since the STS-1 crew requested them on the shuttle Columbia on April 12, 1981. Their small size and colourful assortment make them ideal for astronauts to eat and play with in a microgravity environment. M&M's have been used by astronauts to explain scientific concepts, such as demonstrating rotation in microgravity by dropping them into a globe of water.
The candies were chosen for the first space shuttle because of their "thermal stability characteristics", as described in a 1982 press release by Mars, Inc. They were able to withstand the "100-degree temperatures" of the shuttle's food storage area, maintaining their integrity, aesthetics, and taste even after being stored in a high-temperature environment for six months. This unique quality meant that they would melt in your mouth, not in your hand, or, in this case, your hot space shuttle.
To avoid the appearance of commercial endorsements, NASA generically labelled the candies as "candy-coated chocolates" and removed them from their original packaging, placing them in vacuum-sealed clear pouches. However, the iconic lowercase "m" marking was retained, making them still recognisable to astronauts and the public.
M&M's have continued to be a favourite treat for astronauts, with the company producing commemorative space-themed designs for various missions. They have been flown on more than 130 missions, providing a sweet treat and a fun activity for astronauts in the microgravity environment.
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Frequently asked questions
M&Ms are made in Australia at the major production plant in Ballarat, Victoria.
Yes, M&Ms are also made in China, Egypt, and the Netherlands.
Other Mars products manufactured in Australia include Maltesers, Pods, Mars, and Milky Way.
Yes, M&Ms are made in the US at various facilities, including in New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
M&Ms were introduced to Australia in the 1980s.
