Talk:Mars, Incorporated
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[edit] Rennet Controversy
Masterfoods has recently begun using rennet (an animal product - from the stomachs of calves, specifically) in many of their products.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6653175.stm
The article currently tells us
'From 1 May 2007, many Mars products in the UK, and reportedly across Europe[citation needed], became unsuitable for vegetarians, Jews[citation needed] and Muslims[citation needed]. The company announced that they will be using rennet' (etc)
I'm responsible for the tags, but they perhaps need a little explanation:
'reportedly across Europe' - OK. this probably doesn't need much explanation. Can we have a source please? If it's been reported, then we can quote where that report was.
'became unsuitable for vegetarians, Jews and Muslims'. Firstly, my apologies if I show cultural or religious insensitivity here. But it seems to me that it's obvious why an animal derived product is not suitable for vegetarians. It's less obvious to me (coming from a Western European, non-Islamic, non-Jewish, background) why rennet from cattle should be unacceptable for Jews or Muslims. My limited understanding of the Halal and Kosher dietary rules is that pig derived products are always unacceptable. I do know that Kosher rules can rule foods out because of the mixing of products - maybe there is a similar restriction in Halal rules? But as we're writing an encyclopedia here, more explanation would seem to be needed.
Once again, my apologies if in any way I have been insensitive - but in an encyclopedia, surely we need clarity. Grblundell 19:12, 18 May 2007 (UTC)
- You don't need to apologize nearly that much, I don't think ANYTHING in your comment could be construed as offensive. With regards to your question, Kosher rules do not allow the mixing of meat and milk. Apparently Halal does not have a prohibition on the mixing of milk and meat. However, Kosher rules do allow rennet that is not from animal sources, and Halal rules do require that animal rennet be obtained from animals that are halal.
- See: http://www.ou.org/kosher/primer.html and http://www.meatami.com/content/presscenter/factsheets/animalhandlingreligiousslaughter.pdf
Jo7hs2 (talk) 05:19, 21 November 2007 (UTC)
- I'm going to recommend that the portion regarding the rennet controversy be deleted. The controversy has been resolved, and as there is no continuing harm, it seems pointless to leave it in the encyclopedia. Jo7hs2 (talk) 05:23, 21 November 2007 (UTC)
[edit] EFFEM foods
Mars is a subsidary of this larger entity.
- Not any more, EFFEM is now known as Masterfoods
- In Canada the company goes by Effem Inc.
[edit] MEI division was recently sold
The MEI division was recently sold to Bain Capital and Advantage Partners. Shortly after Mars acquired two petcare companies: Doane Petcare and NuTec S&M.
http://www.eurokiosks.org/06press/art05-04-2006.html
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2006/04/24/daily22.html
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/14540730.htm
[edit] Ethel M
I'm wondering if the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Botanical Garden should be added under this article, as well as Ethel M as a brand of Mars, Incorporated. Wyldphyre 23:23, 7 June 2006 (UTC)
Yes, probably, though it is quite small and therre are many larger businesses not covered. Ethel M was started by Forrest Mars Snr after he left the business in the hands of his sons. He said that he did not want Snickers on his epitaph and wanted to make high quality chocolates. He lived over the factory in Las Vegas for many years. The business was not successful and was bought by Mars, Inc after some years. It seems that his sons did not want to see him fail.ken 09:09, 1 July 2006 (UTC)
[edit] M&M Mars?
Didn’t the company used to have the name M&M/Mars or M&M-Mars or something? Or is that a different company, or something else entirely? —Frungi 17:10, 6 July 2006 (UTC)
- I think you're right; it was called M&M Mars in the past. -- Dominus 13:02, 7 July 2006 (UTC)
- Anyone with clear memory, like me, can tell you that's correct. The "M&M/MARS" logo appeared on packages until 2003, when Masterfoods USA took its place, but the logo still appears on boxes for transporting products occasionally (this kind of thing happens with other companies too). 67.41.213.180 14:36, 23 November 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Discussion moved from the top
"The company has come under some criticism for not offering any Fairtrade branded products." This should be sourced, if true.
"Their main confectionary plant in Chicago was recently shut down for health code violations. A recent streak of poor press resulted from actions against CocoaVia and lead levels in candy produced in their Mexican plant." Is this appropriate? It seems like transient news and not useful in Wikipedia. I will remove unless someone has strong arguments why it should stay. wycombe 00:18, 4 July 2006 (UTC)
The Mars bar is called "Milky Way" in the US and the Milky Way is called the "3 Musketeers".
This isn't right is it ? I'm sure I've had a Mars bar in the US and it has been nearly identical to the one in the UK. I've not had a Milky Way or 3 Musketeers though. Mintguy 14:59, 3 Sep 2003 (UTC)
- I think you're right. Dominus 15:48, 3 Sep 2003 (UTC)
-
- It looks like I'm wrong. What us Brits know as a Mars Bar is similar to what the Americans call Milky Way. And what we call Milky Way is similar ro a 3 Musketeers (which is unknown in the UK). But there's no one to one mapping with these products. The Mars Bar with almonds available in the US is not available in Britain. Mintguy 16:39, 3 Sep 2003 (UTC)
- some sites
- As I understand it, the Mars Bar in the US (which I believe is now out of production (?)), was/is what us Brits know as the Topic, but with almonds substituted for hazlenuts--Britstyx 22:36, 29 July 2006 (UTC)
- Uhhhh...I live in Canada, and all those chocolate (three musketeers, Mars Bar and Milky way) are seperate kinds here. I know this is an older discussion, but I am doing a small report for my business class, so I want as much info as possible. Carbunkel 21:28, 23 December 2005 (UTC)
- Milky Way is not sold by Mars to Canadian retailers, however sometimes large retailers import it from American retailers
[edit] Missing info
This article lacks some information about press scandals like other company articles have. Every company has a bad side and it should be mentioned here, since we do not need to advertise for companies. I believe working conditions is quite a problem in some Mars brands, maybe someone has some verfiable information? Here's two pages about cocoa, but something from a more neutral press would be better: [1] [2]--84.178.77.254 21:30, 13 February 2007 (UTC)
This comment seems like a fishing expedition for something bad. So far as I am aware, Mars's wage rates and working conditions are well above average. I do not believe there are any scandals about this company, but if anyone has any verifiable information that is important to understand the organisation, they sholud post it. Unless this happens within a few weeks, the note on the front page should be removed. wycombe 03:36, 24 February 2007 (UTC)
Disclaimer: I do work for Mars (which is why I won't edit the page directly). But I will respond to this point by saying that the working conditions at Mars are very good. Day to day wages, at least in my division, are at or slightly below industry average but the pension and health plans make it worth sticking around. From what I've seen, Mars does seem to have a much lower staff turnover rates than other companies. 79.77.191.159 (talk) 22:14, 13 May 2008 (UTC)
[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Logo mars.gif
Image:Logo mars.gif is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.
Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.
If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.
BetacommandBot 05:25, 1 July 2007 (UTC)
124.176.238.160 (talk) 13:13, 9 May 2008 (UTC)The main thing about Mars and other confectionary companies is that they don't do much to prevent tooth decay and do a lot to cause it. Tooth decay is the most common of diseases affecting every family.
Everyone knows chewing causes food to be trapped between teeth displacing previously trapped food that is changed to acid demineralisation of tooth.
Very little food is trapped inside grooves on chewing surfaces where 80% of cavities occur and the brush cannot reach.
However chewing fibre like celery after eating helps force saliva inside grooves and between teeth to help saliva dilute sugar, neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth.
www.supertoothndk.org is a website of Supertooth and good food friends which shows how confectiones can help consumers protect teeth before and after eating, but they are making plenty pf profits without making their products tooth friendly.
[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Mars CandyLogo.jpg
Image:Mars CandyLogo.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.
Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.
If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.
A historical note. The Mars candy factory was/is on Naragansett Ave. on the far west side of Chicago. I lived my childhood in the neighboring village Oak Park. My father, Clarence Schilke, was an Oak Park policeman, joining the force in 1929. I came along the following year. During the depression years, the late thirties and up into the early forties, a Mars executive, possible Forrest Mars, had become a police aficionado.
Life for a police officer and his family in those days was not overly abundant. I well remember conversation about the village running out of money and my dad being paid in "tax anticipation warrants". Only some local retailers accepted them. But at Christmas-time, along came a most wondrous gift. Cases upon cases of Mars candy were delivered to the 60 member Oak Park police department and as a growing boy my eyes bulged when my dad brought home an entire case of delicious candy. That is a fact, and while my memory cannot vouch for it, I think free chocolate candy from Mars came at Easter too.
Another police/law enforcement connection originated at Mars. It was called the Mars light. At that time, a single round globe with a blinking or rotating red light sat atop all the Oak Park squad cars. It was replaced during this same period by a bar with several rotating lights. Today all police vehicles use them. The assumption at the time, and maybe even today among those my age (78), was that Mr. Mars had paid attention to feedback from his police friends and met their needs with a superior warning system. Don Schilke, dlschilke24@verizon.net 71.100.226.89 (talk) 15:58, 2 May 2008 (UTC)
BetacommandBot 08:26, 7 November 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Criticism - Weasel Words?
I just read through this section and couldn't find the weasel words this banner refers to. If they were obvious enough to place a banner, perhaps they could have just been removed, or maybe they were? Anybody see weaselness here? If not, let's get rid of the banner.Bob98133 (talk) 12:32, 6 May 2008 (UTC)
