Mars factory breakdown causes chocolate shortage
However, Mars would not be drawn on any further details of the issue saying: “We don’t discuss specific operational matters.”
It confirmed that the breakdown at its Slough factory has affected production of brands including Maltesers, Revels and some Galaxy treats – Minstrels, Counters, Galaxy Milk and Ripple.
Mars said that no other brands or products are affected and are being supplied as normal. So stocks of products including Snickers, Milky Way, Twix and M&Ms remain unaffected.
Mars Wrigley said that engineers at its Slough factory are “working around the clock” to ensure production is back up to full capacity as soon as possible.
A Mars Wrigley spokesperson said: “We’re sorry some people aren’t able to find their favourite chocolates at the moment. We’ve had a mechanical breakdown which means that we aren’t able to make as many treats as we would like.”
Last week, Mars Wrigley was forced to pull packs of Revels from sale after a mechanical breakdown meant some pouches may have contained small pieces of metal.
The 101g pouches with a batch code of 006C2SLO00 and 006D1SLO00have a best before date of 31 January 2021.
Customers who had bought the products were advised to keep them and contact the Mars consumer care team.
At the end of last year, the confectionery giant launched its first vegan chocolate product under the Galaxy brand in the UK. The launch included three Galaxy bars, including flavourings of smooth orange, caramel & sea salt, and caramelised hazelnut.
The food and drink giant took full control of its Wrigley chewing gum business in October 2016 after acquiring the minority stake held by holding company Berkshire Hathaway for an undisclosed sum.
