Snickers Coming Down In Size

Bull.

Snickers, Twix and other chocolate products from Mars Inc are coming down in size as part of a drive by the company to stop selling chocolate products containing more than 250 calories by the end of 2013. This means the 540-calorie king-size Snickers bar will become a thing of the past.

Virginia-based Mars Inc, which also makes pet foods, drinks and chewing gum, is the world's leading confectioner and produces 7 of the best-selling global chocolate brands, including Mars, Dove/Galaxy and Snickers.

According to information on the company website, and a press announcement by a spokeswoman on Wednesday, the downsizing of chocolate products is part of an ongoing effort to enhance the nutritional content of the company's brands and sell them in a more responsible way.

"We are aware of the high levels of obesity, heart disease and diabetes in some regions where we operate, and we are taking steps to enhance the nutritional content of our snacks. We are renovating our chocolate products to reduce saturated fats and decrease calories per serving and innovating to give consumers greater choice," says a statement on the company's Health and Nutrition web pages.

A way to sell less and charge more.

However, if Mars, Inc., is admitting that their products are the cause of obesity, then hopefully some sharp attorneys will teach their marketing people a much needed lesson to shut-up when they should.