Mars starts using animal products

Masterfoods' brands are household names
Some of the UK's best-selling chocolate bars, such as Mars and Twix, will no longer be suitable for vegetarians.
Also affecting brands such as Snickers and Maltesers, owner Masterfoods said it had started to use animal product rennet to make its chocolate products.

Masterfoods said the change was due to it switching the sourcing of its ingredients and the admission was a "principled decision" on its part.

The Vegetarian Society said the company's move was "incomprehensible".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6653175.stm

Actually this hit the headlines in May, and I believe the companies have changed their minds now (because of pressure from the vegetarian society). I will check though and report back

These products will remain vegetarian (thank goodness )

http://www.vegsoc.org/news/2007/mars.html

I see this move as a good way to combat obesity in veggies

Another thing to be careful of is "flavorings" That can or can not mean animal products. I have a list from a Hindu friend that lists all the prohibited products, and one from a Jewish friend that shows how non Kosher products can be in seemingly innocent products. Now I look for specific signs, like a Hechsheror Halal on products I purchase.

I agree about reading labels. A strange one I came across recently was:-

Beef Flavour Walkers Crisps - Vegetarian
Cheese Quavers - Contain Meat!!!!!!!!!

Its great see a huge company like Mars saying "we made a mistake - we were wrong!!!)

http://www.masterfoodsconsumercare.co.uk/veg_status.asp

My friend emailed this to me a few months ago. It's a long list so I'll send it in a few parts. It's best to keep checking the sites to ensure everything is up to date. Obviously not really for veggies but gives information regarding halal or haram.

BRAND PRODUCT STATUS REASON SOURCE
> Bassett's American hard gums Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
Bassett's Aniseed imperials Haram Gelatinewww.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
Bassett's Assorted toffees Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
Bassett's Black Jacks Haram Gelatine
www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2 Bassett's Fruit Salad Haram Gelatine
>
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Fruit Bonbons Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>> Bassett's Dolly mixture Haram Gelatine
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Jelly babies Haram Gelatine
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Just fruit gums Haram Gelatine
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Just fruit jellies Haram Cochineal
>
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Just fruit pastilles Haram Gelatine
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Liquorice allsorts Haram Gelatine
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Mint creams Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>> Bassett's Mint imperials - all varieties Haram Gelatine
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Pear drops Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>> Bassett's
>Sherbet fountain Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>> Bassett's Sherbet lemon Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>> Bassett's Bon Bons - Strawberry Haram Cochineal
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2

Halam/Haram list Part II

Bassett's Bon Bons - Lemon Halal -
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Cherry drops Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Chocolate limes Halal -
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Bassett's Murray mints Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>>
>Cadbury Boost Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Bourneville Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Buttons - choc & white Halal -
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Caramel Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Caramel egg Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Chomp Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Chocolate eclairs Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>>
>Cadbury Chunky Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Creme egg Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Crunchie Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Curly wurly Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Curly wurly squirlies Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>> Cadbury Dairy milk - & miniatures Halal -
> >>>>www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Dairy milk coins Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>>
>Cadbury Dairy milk kids Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>> Cadbury Dairy milk tasters Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>> Cadbury Double decker Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Dream Mushbooh Animal Rennet www.cadburys.co.uk
> >>>> Cadbury Flake Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Fruit & nut Halal - www.gmwa.org.uk/foodguide2
> >>>> Cadbury Fruit & nut tasters Halal - www.cadburys.co.uk