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Snickers and other Mars candy bars to slim down

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02/16/2012 11:28 AM


Packets of M&M's chocolates are seen on the production line of candy maker Mars Chocolate France's plant in Haguenau. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

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By Deborah Kotz, Globe Staff

Say goodbye to supersize chocolate bars -- at least Snickers and other candy bars made by Mars. The company announced this week that it would stop selling chocolate products with more than 250 calories in them by the end of next year.

That means no more 500-calorie, king-size Snickers or Milky Way bars.

A spokesperson for the company told Reuters that it was part of Mars’ “broad-based commitment to health and nutrition.”

(Okay, one could, perhaps, argue that they should consider making their M&M’s, Snickers, and Twix disappear altogether.)

Also, the regular-size candy bars won’t have to change much. M&M’s and Twix already fall within the 250-calorie limit, while regular-size Milky Ways will need to lop off just 20 calories, and Snickers, just 30.

Still, the notion of “responsible snacking” that Mars has embraced is certainly a step in the right direction. Five years ago, the company decided to stop buying advertising time on programs geared to those under 12.

Mars also announced that it will reduce sodium levels in all its products by 25 percent within the next three years.

What do you think of the changes? Will they make a dent in reversing the rise in obesity?

Deborah Kotz can be reached at dkotz@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @debkotz2.

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about the blog

Daily Dose gives you the latest consumer health news and advice from Boston-area experts. Deborah Kotz is a former reporter for US News and World Report. Write her at dailydose@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @debkotz2.

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