LEICESTER-based confectionary maker Masterfoods admitted making a “mistake” in announcing it was to use animal extracts in a host of its well known chocolates.
The company said yesterday it was “sorry” for announcing the use of animal product rennet in a majority of its products and after growing pressure had decided to “reverse its decision”.
The company, responsible for chocolate bars such as Twix, Mars, Snickers and Bounty, had announced last week that it had already started using animal product rennet in some of its products much to the dismay of vegetarians and some Muslim groups.
The Muslim Public Affairs Committee had accused the company disregarding certain communities while the Vegetarian Society described the move as a “backward step”.
But as online petitions against the move gathered pace, Masterfoods announced it was wrong in making the move.
Fiona Dawson, managing director of Mars UK, said: “The consumer is our boss – and we had lots of feedback from consumers who were unhappy about the change. It became very clear, very quickly, that we had made a mistake, for which I am sorry.
“There are three million vegetarians in the UK and not only did we disappoint them but we upset lots of other consumers.
“We have listened to their views and have decided to reverse our decision. All those people who have enjoyed our products in the past will soon be able to enjoy them again.”
The Muslim Public Affairs Committee said it was pleased with the decision, while the Vegetarian Society said they were “very pleased” with the U-turn.
Masterfoods also welcomed consumers still unsure about ingredients in their products to contact their careline on 0845 0450042.
