Mars Inc.

{{short description|American multinational food and animal care corporation}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox company | name = Mars, Incorporated | logo = Mars Incorporated 2019 logo.svg | logo_size = 200 | former_name = | trade_name = | image = MarsWrigley.IronsideNewark.jpg | image_size = 250 | image_caption = Mars Wrigley US headquarters in Newark, New Jersey | type = Private | traded_as = <!-- Company is privately held, not publicly traded. --> | industry = {{ubl|Food|Veterinary services}} | founded = {{start date and age|1911|06|23}} in Tacoma, Washington, U.S. | founder = Franklin Clarence Mars | location = McLean, Virginia, U.S.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2018/02/28/see-inside-mars-inc-s-mysteriousmclean.html |title=A rare look inside Mars Inc.'s McLean headquarters |publisher=Washington Business Journal |date=February 28, 2018}}</ref> | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = {{ubl|John Franklyn Mars (chairman)<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.mars.com/news-and-stories/press-releases-statements/grant-f-reid-hands-over-reins-as-mars-ceo |date= June 22, 2022 |place= McLean |work=Mars, Incorporated | access-date=2023-04-26 |title=Grant F. Reid decides to hand over the reins as Mars CEO after nearly a decade}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/person/1654674 |title=John Franklyn Mars "Frank"|work=Bloomberg.com}}</ref>|Poul Weihrauch<br/>(president and CEO)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mars.com/about/leadership | title=Global Leadership Team |website=Mars, Incorporated |access-date=2023-04-26}}</ref>}} | products = {{hlist|Confectionery|Gum|Candy|Mints|Beverages|Foodstuffs|Cereals (outside North America)|Crackers|Toaster pastries|Pet food and supplies}} | brands = List of Mars Inc. brands | services = Manufacturing <br /> Veterinary | revenue = {{increase}} {{USD|50 billion|link=yes}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mars.com/sites/g/files/dfsbuz106/files/2024-08/Mars%20%2B%20Mars%20Snacking%20Overview%20%288.13.24%29.pdf|title=Mars Infographic|date=August 2024|work=Forbes}}</ref> | revenue_year = 2024 | owner = Mars family | num_employees = 150,000 (2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mars.com/sites/g/files/dfsbuz106/files/2024-08/Mars%20%2B%20Mars%20Snacking%20Overview%20%288.13.24%29.pdf|title = Mars Infographic|website = Mars}}</ref> | divisions = {{Unbulleted list| * Mars Snacking * Mars Petcare * Mars Food * Mars Edge }} | subsidiaries = VCA Animal Hospitals | slogan = | website = {{URL|https://www.mars.com/| mars.com}} }}

'''Mars, Incorporated''' (doing business as '''Mars Inc.''') is an American multinational manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products and a provider of animal care services founded on June 23, 1911. Mars is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, in the Washington metropolitan area,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van Zandt |first=Emily |date=February 28, 2018 |title=A rare look inside Mars Inc.'s McLean headquarters |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2018/02/28/see-inside-mars-inc-s-mysteriousmclean.html |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Washington Business Journal}}</ref> and is entirely owned by the Mars family.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 24, 2022 |title=Mars {{!}} Company Overview & News |url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/mars/ |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Forbes}}</ref> The company had US$45 billion in annual sales in 2022;<ref>{{cite web|title=Mars on Forbes Lists|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/largest-private-companies/list/#tab:rank |access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> that year ''Forbes'' ranked the company as the fourth-largest privately held company in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 10, 2022 |title=America's Largest Private Companies |url=https://www.forbes.com/largest-private-companies/list/#tab:rank |access-date=October 10, 2022 |website=Forbes}}</ref>

Mars operates in four subsidiaries around the world: Snacking (headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with U.S. headquarters in Hackettstown and Newark, New Jersey),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mars.com/docs/default-source/Press-Releases/mars-wrigley-confectionery-us-location_press-release-12052017-(1).pdf?sfvrsn=4|title=Mars Wrigley Confectionary Announces U.S. Locations|website=Mars, Incorporated|access-date=August 26, 2018}}</ref> Petcare (Zaventem, Belgium; Poncitlán, Jalisco, Mexico; Querétaro, Mexico), Food (Rancho Dominguez, California) and Mars Edge (Germantown, Maryland), the company's life sciences division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mars.com/global/brands.aspx|title=Brands|work=mars.com|access-date=August 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130326103541/http://www.mars.com/global/brands.aspx|archive-date=March 26, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mars.com/global/brands/symbioscience|title=Mars Edge|website=Mars, Incorporated|access-date=August 26, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Who We Are - About Mars Edge |url=https://www.marscocoascience.com/who-we-are/about-mars-edge |access-date=March 19, 2026 |website=About Mars Edge}}</ref>

==History== thumb|left|200px|Former Mars logo, used from 1911 until 2019

Mars is a company known for the confectionery items that it manufactures,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.englishteastore.com/mars-history.html |title=History of Mars|website=English Tea Store}}</ref> such as Mars bars, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way bars, M&M's, Skittles, Snickers, Twix, and Bounty. It also produces non-confectionery snacks, such as Combos, and other foods, including Ben's Original, and pasta sauce brand Dolmio, as well as pet foods, such as Pedigree, Whiskas, Nutro and Royal Canin brands.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=March 7, 2018|publisher=Mars Inc.|title=Petcare|url=http://www.mars.com/cis/en/brands/petcare.aspx}}</ref>

Orbit gum is among the most popular brands, managed by the Mars subsidiary brand Wrigley. During World War II, Wrigley was selling their eponymous gum only to soldiers, while Orbit was sold to the public. Though abandoned shortly after the war, about 30 years later, Orbit came back to America.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrigley.com/global/brands/orbit.aspx |website=Wrigley.com|title=Global Brands: Orbit}}</ref>

Franklin Clarence Mars, whose mother taught him to hand dip candy, sold candy by age 19.<ref name=Mars-history>{{cite web |title=History |url=http://www.mars.com/global/about-mars/mars-pia/our-approach-to-business/story-of-mars.aspx |publisher=Mars, Incorporated |access-date=October 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221144350/http://www.mars.com/global/about-mars/mars-pia/our-approach-to-business/story-of-mars.aspx |archive-date=February 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He started the Mars Candy Factory on June 23, 1911, with Ethel V. Mars, his second wife, in Tacoma, Washington.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mars.com/global/about-us/history|title=Mars Company History|website=Mars Inc}}</ref> This factory produced and sold fresh candy wholesale,<ref name="Mars-history" /> but ultimately the venture failed<ref>{{cite web |last=Alexander |first=Morgan |title=Mars in Tacoma|url=http://www.tacomasun.com/2008/05/28/mars-in-tacoma/ |date=May 28, 2008 |work=The Tacoma Sun |access-date=October 6, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mars family |url=http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/encyclopaedia!openframeset&frame=Right&Src=/edible.nsf/pages/marsfamily!opendocument |publisher=Practically Edible |access-date=October 6, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504211100/http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/encyclopaedia%21openframeset%26frame%3DRight%26Src%3D/edible.nsf/pages/marsfamily%21opendocument |archive-date=May 4, 2009 }}</ref> because there was a better established business, Brown & Haley, also operating in Tacoma.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/article25914523.html|title=Mars' chocolate history has surprising Tacoma backstory|work=thenewstribune|access-date=December 26, 2017|language=en}}</ref> By 1920, Mars had returned to his home state, Minnesota, where the earliest incarnation of the present day Mars company was founded that year as Mar-O-Bar Co., in Minneapolis<ref name="oprf">{{cite web|title=Franklin Mars |url=http://www.oprf.com/oprfhist/marsf.htm |publisher=The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest |access-date=February 25, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010004409/http://oprf.com/oprfhist/marsf.htm |archive-date=October 10, 2010 }}</ref> and later incorporated there as Mars, Incorporated.<ref name="Mars-history" />

In 1923, Forrest Mars Sr., son of Frank and his first wife, Ethel G. Mars,<ref name="Mars-history" /> was discussing his father's business struggles with him at a soda fountain. Inspired by his beverage, Forrest suggested that his father base a candy bar on a chocolate malted milk milkshake<ref name="El-Hai">{{cite news|last=El-Hai |first=Jack|title=Candy Bar Combat|url=http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/media/Minnesota-Monthly/March-2007/Candy-Bar-Combat/|date=March 2007|work=Minnesota Monthly|publisher=Greenspring Media Group|access-date=May 3, 2025}}</ref> Frank took the suggestion and, making use of the neglected ingredient Minneapolis nougat, introduced the Milky Way bar,<ref name="El-Hai"/> advertised as a "chocolate malted milk in a candy bar",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.milkywaybar.com/facts/timeline.html |title=Milky Way Brand Timeline |publisher=Milkywaybar.com |access-date=January 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422142740/http://milkywaybar.com/facts/timeline.html |archive-date=April 22, 2007 }}</ref> which became the best-selling candy bar.<ref name="oprf" /> In 1929, Frank moved the company to Chicago and started full production in a plant which still exists today.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mars Wrigley Closing Nearly Century-Old Chocolate Plant|website=Chicago Tribune |date=January 25, 2022 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-mars-wrigley-closing-chicago-chocolate-plant-20220126-7xoqzf7ffnfkpfantzfculkfxe-story.html}}</ref> In 1930, Frank Mars created the Snickers bar and first sold it in US markets.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7-WcKK01H1cC&q=Frank+mars+created+snickers+bars+in+1930&pg=PA437|title=Fast Food and Junk Food: An Encyclopedia of What We Love to Eat|last=Smith|first=Andrew F.|date=2012|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9780313393938|language=en}}</ref> In 1932, Mars introduced the 3 Musketeers bar.

In 1932, Forrest Mars was given a check by his father as well as the foreign rights to market the Milky Way. The younger Mars moved over to Great Britain and started his own company, Mars Limited, in the town of Slough. The Mars bar was launched there to great success.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Week |first=Marketing |date=1995-03-03 |title=Life in Mars: Some facts |url=https://www.marketingweek.com/life-in-mars-some-facts/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=Marketing Week |language=en}}</ref> He continued to expand his company over the next decades.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 1, 1967 |title=The sweet, secret world of Forrest Mars |url=https://fortune.com/article/the-sweet-secret-world-of-forrest-mars-fortune-1967/ |access-date=2025-10-04 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref>

Following the death of Frank Mars in 1934, the Mars company ownership was placed into the hands of his widow's family.<ref name=":2" /> Ethel V. Mars served as president, but company activities were otherwise run by her half-brother, William Kruppenbacher. In gradual phases, Forrest Mars, who ran his own Mars company in Britain, finally took control of his father's company in Chicago by 1964 and merged the two entities together into one Mars.<ref name=":3" />

Mars moved its headquarters to McLean, Virginia, in 1984.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|last=Brenner |first=Joel Glenn |title=Planet of the M&M's|newspaper=Washington Post Magazine|date=April 12, 1992}}</ref> In 2001, Mars purchased the Lucas candy company. In 2004, Lucas was discontinued when high amounts of lead were found inside of their candies. ^{[https://www.deseret.com/2007/5/13/20018367/toxic-candy-still-being-sold/]}

Mars's purchase of Doane Petcare Company in June 2007 significantly increased Mars's position in the U.S. dry pet food category. In addition to these businesses, Mars also operates a chain of premium chocolate shops called Ethel M Chocolates. These shops are an outgrowth of the Ethel M premium chocolate business that Forrest Mars started in Las Vegas in 1980 when he became bored with retirement.<ref>{{cite book | title = The Emperors of Chocolate | last= Brenner |first= Joel Glenn | publisher = Random House | year = 1999 | isbn = 978-0-679-42190-0 | page = [https://archive.org/details/emperorsofchocol00bren/page/324 324] | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/emperorsofchocol00bren/page/324 }}</ref>

From May 1, 2007, many Mars products made in the UK became unsuitable for vegetarians. The company announced that it would be using whey made with animal rennet (material from a calf's stomach lining, and a byproduct of veal), instead of using rennet made by microorganisms, in products including Mars, Twix, Snickers, Maltesers, Bounty, Minstrels and Milky Way.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 14, 2007 |title=Mars starts using animal products |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6653175.stm |access-date=January 15, 2010 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The response from many consumers, particularly the Vegetarian Society's request for UK vegetarians to register their protests with Mars, generated extensive press and caused the company to abandon the plans shortly thereafter.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 20, 2007 |title=Mars bars get veggie status back |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6673549.stm |access-date=January 15, 2010 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Mars switched to all-vegetarian sources in the UK.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wallop |first=Harry |date=May 21, 2007 |title=Mars in damage limitation exercise |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/21/nmars21.xml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705223100/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/21/nmars21.xml |archive-date=July 5, 2007 |access-date=January 15, 2010 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Introduction of vegetarian labelling on our leading UK confectionery brands |date=August 2007 |publisher=Masterfoods Consumercare |url=http://www.masterfoodsconsumercare.co.uk/veg_status.asp |access-date=January 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127141933/http://www.masterfoodsconsumercare.co.uk/veg_status.asp |archive-date=January 27, 2010}}</ref>

In 2008, Mars and theBelGroup conducted a research study that resurrected the famous Mars slogan "Work, Rest & Play". Packaged and led the global launch of the Mars Refuel Sports drink. Initiated and implemented sponsorship program "The Mars Refuel Drink Fund".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thebelgroup.ch/mars|title=Mars and theBelGroup has conducted research study|work=theBelGroup|access-date=June 24, 2020|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625043826/https://www.thebelgroup.ch/mars|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 28, 2008, Mars, Incorporated, together with Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated, announced the buyout of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, the world's largest chewing gum producer, for $23 billion in an all-cash deal. The two companies together generated sales of over $30 billion in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120935192240148985|title=Mars, Buffett Team Up in Wrigley Bid|last1=Karnitschnig|first1=Matthew|date=April 28, 2008|last2=Berman|first2=Dennis K.|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=January 22, 2017}}</ref> Mars' US confectionery division, '''Masterfoods USA''' (formerly '''M&M Mars'''), was merged into Wrigley, and its chocolate products were reorganized into the newly formed subsidiary '''Mars Chocolate North America, LLC'''.

The company published its Principles in Action communication in September 2011. This communication outlines the history of Mars, its legacy as a business committed to its Five Principles, and the company's goal of putting its Principles into action to make a difference to people and the planet through performance. Encompassing themes of Health and Nutrition, Supply Chain, Operations, Products, and Working at Mars, the Principles in Action communication outlines Mars, Incorporated's targets, progress, and ongoing challenges. It also describes its businesses, including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mars.com/global/press-center/press-list/news-releases.aspx?SiteId=94&Id=3209 |website=Mars.com|title=Mars, Incorporated Publishes Principles In Action Communication}}</ref>

The company spent more than $1.8 million on lobbying during 2008, almost all of it at Patton Boggs, where it has long been one of the largest lobbying clients. Mars also spent $10,000 at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. In 2009, Mars also hired Ernst & Young to lobby on corporate and international tax issues, including issues related to tax changes proposed by the Obama administration. The company spent another $1,655,000 that year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2009/12/mars-lobbying-lifts-off.html |work=Legal Times|title=Mars' Lobbying Lifts Off | date=December 28, 2009}}</ref>

In February 2016, Mars stated that it would no longer be using artificial colors in any of its candy products.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Mars, Incorporated to remove all artificial colors from its human food portfolio |date=5 February 2016 |url=https://www.mars.com/news-and-stories/press-releases/remove-artificial-colors |last=Jonathan |first=Mudd |access-date=24 March 2023 |agency=PRNewswire}}</ref> In 2016, Mars Inc. announced the merger of its chocolate and Wrigley segments to form a new subsidiary, called "Mars Wrigley Confectionery".<ref>{{Cite news|title= Mars to buy out Buffett to take full control of Wrigley|url=https://www.ft.com/content/7e694430-8b0d-11e6-8aa5-f79f5696c731 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/7e694430-8b0d-11e6-8aa5-f79f5696c731 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription|access-date=June 17, 2020|newspaper=Financial Times|date=October 6, 2016|last1=Whipp|first1=Lindsay}}</ref> In 2017, the company's confectionery segment announced a return to its roots, and opened a new office in Newark, New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mars.com/docs/default-source/Press-Releases/mars-wrigley-confectionery-us-location_press-release-12052017-(1).pdf?sfvrsn=2|title=Mars Wrigley Confectionery to base U.S. Headquarters in Hackettstown & Newark, New Jersey; Global Headquarters Remain in Chicago|publisher=Mars, Incorporated|date=December 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208231437/http://www.mars.com/docs/default-source/Press-Releases/mars-wrigley-confectionery-us-location_press-release-12052017-(1).pdf?sfvrsn=2|archive-date=December 8, 2017}}</ref>

In May 2020, Mars filed a lawsuit against JAB Holding over claims that Jacek Szarzynski, a former JAB Holding executive stole various confidential documents and passed them to the owner of Pret a Manger and Panera Bread. According to the lawsuit, over 6,000 Mars internal documents, including detailed financial results, strategic planning documents, and potential acquisition targets, were illegally downloaded.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/6c312d02-562b-4f59-95bc-55afedd1f096 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/6c312d02-562b-4f59-95bc-55afedd1f096 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription|title= Mars sues Pret and Panera-owner JAB over 'stolen' trade secrets|work=Financial Times|last1=Evans|first1=Judith|last2=Massoudi|first2=Arash|access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:The_Mars_Wrigley_manufacturing_plant_in_Cleveland,_Tennessee,_produces_M&Ms_and_Twix_bars_01.jpg|thumb|200px|Mars Wrigley's chocolate manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Tennessee, produces M&M's and Twix]] In the United States, the company has{{when|date=March 2021}} 22 manufacturing facilities in Hackettstown, New Jersey; Albany, Georgia; Burr Ridge, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Chicago, Illinois; and Mattoon, Illinois; Cleveland, Tennessee; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Columbia, South Carolina; Columbus, Ohio; Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania; Greenville, Mississippi; Greenville and Waco, Texas; Henderson and Reno, Nevada; Fort Smith, Arkansas; Joplin, Missouri; Kansas City, Missouri; Miami, Oklahoma; and Galena, Kansas. Their newest chocolate producing facility, the first in 23 years, was established in 2014 at a cost of $270 million and is situated in Topeka, Kansas.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kansas.com/2014/03/27/3370356/270m-chocolate-plant-proof-of.html |title=$270M chocolate plant near Topeka proof of US's sweet tooth |work=The Wichita Eagle |date=March 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328234619/http://www.kansas.com/2014/03/27/3370356/270m-chocolate-plant-proof-of.html |archive-date=March 28, 2014 }}</ref> Their Canadian facilities are located in Bolton and Newmarket, Ontario.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mars.com/global/who-we-are/where-we-operate/canada.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214163926/http://www.mars.com/global/who-we-are/where-we-operate/canada.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 14, 2009 |website=Mars, Inc. |title=Where we operate: Canada }}</ref>

In November 2020, Mars acquired full ownership of snack food company Kind North America for $5 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Sorkin|first1=Andrew Ross|last2=Hirsch|first2=Lauren|date=November 17, 2020|title=Kind Bars to Be Acquired by Maker of Snickers|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/business/dealbook/kind-bars-acquired-mars-snickers.html|access-date=April 8, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Mars 2020-11-17 Release">{{Cite web |date=17 November 2020 |title=KIND and Mars Announce Next Step in Partnership to Build a Kinder World and Bring Healthy Snacks to People Worldwide Mars to acquire KIND North America; Partnership will build on growth across geographies and categories |url=https://www.mars.com/news-and-stories/press-releases/kind-and-mars-announce-next-step-partnership |access-date=20 November 2020 |website=Press Release |publisher=Mars, Incorporated}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes 2020-11-17">{{Cite web |last=Hirsch, Lauren |date=17 November 2020 |title=Kind bars will be acquired by Mars, the maker of Snickers. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/business/kind-bars-will-be-acquired-by-mars-the-maker-of-snickers.html |access-date=20 November 2020 |website=Article |publisher=New York Times}}</ref> Two years later in December 2022, it was announced Mars had acquired the Utah headquartered whole-fruit snacking brand, Trü Frü,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Mars to acquire whole-fruit snacking brand Trü Frü |url=https://www.foodbev.com/news/mars-to-acquire-whole-fruit-snacking-brand/ |access-date=2022-12-20 |website=FoodBev Media |language=en-GB}}</ref> the acquisition forming a new health and wellness sub-brand which will include the brand, Kind and Nature's Bakery.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-20 |title=Mars Announces Acquisition Of Trü Frü Snacking Brand |url=https://www.esmmagazine.com/a-brands/mars-announces-acquisition-of-tru-fru-snacking-brand-228874 |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=ESM Magazine |language=en}}</ref> A further acquisition was made in November 2023 when Mars purchased the Hotel Chocolat for £534 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Aoife |date=2023-11-16 |title=Hotel Chocolat bought by Mars in £534m deal - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2023/11/hotel-chocolat-mars/ |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=www.retailgazette.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref> The company would remain independent from Mars' brands and for such will have no recipe changes or no Mars products within its stores, the company hopes to bring it to more markets. It increases Mars' retail presence, a presence they already had with M&M's World. The acquisition was complete by January 25, 2024.<ref name="MarsHotelChocolat">{{cite news |date=25 January 2024 |title=Mars completes acquisition of premium chocolate brand Hotel Chocolat |url=https://www.mars.com/news-and-stories/press-releases-statements/mars-completes-acquisition-hotel-chocolat |access-date=14 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Sarah |date=16 November 2023 |title=U.S. giant Mars to buy Britain's Hotel Chocolat for $662m |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/mars-buy-britains-hotel-chocolat-662m-2023-11-16/ |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sorkin |first1=Andrew Ross |last2=Hirsch |first2=Lauren |date=November 17, 2020 |title=Kind Bars to Be Acquired by Maker of Snickers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/business/dealbook/kind-bars-acquired-mars-snickers.html |access-date=April 8, 2021 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On September 1, 2023, Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has included two leading food corporations, PepsiCo and Mars, on the list of international sponsors of the war. Despite the declaration of reduction of their business, cessation of advertising activities, and production of their products, they continue to work in the Russian Federation.<ref>[https://nazk.gov.ua/en/news/you-re-not-you-when-you-continue-to-work-in-the-russian-federation-the-nacp-added-pepsico-and-mars-to-the-list-of-international-sponsors-of-the-war/ "Ukraine designates PepsiCo, Mars as 'international war sponsors'"]. September 1, 2023.</ref>

On August 14, 2024, Mars Inc. announced its acquisition of Kellanova, which was known as Kellogg's until 2023 (its spun-off North American cereal business is WK Kellogg Co, now owned by Ferrero SpA), for $83.50 per share in cash, for a total consideration of $35.9 billion, including assumed net leverage. According to the companies, this is the largest acquisition of 2024 to date, while analysts described it as the largest CPG transaction since the merger between Kraft and Heinz in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/08/14/mars-buys-kellanova-pringles/ |title= Mars to buy maker of Pringles and Pop-Tarts in snack food megadeal|newspaper= Washington Post|access-date= 2024-08-14|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240814132819/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/08/14/mars-buys-kellanova-pringles/|archive-date= 2024-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-14 |title=Sweet and salty deal worth $30 billion would put M&M's and Snickers alongside Cheez-It and Pringles |url=https://apnews.com/article/mars-kellanova-eggo-skittles-pringles-b47c6906bea9c285c2a94711a543f6c7 |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sorkin |first1=Andrew Ross |last2=Hirsch |first2=Lauren |date=November 17, 2020 |title=Kind Bars to Be Acquired by Maker of Snickers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/business/dealbook/kind-bars-acquired-mars-snickers.html |access-date=April 8, 2021 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The agreement has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Kellanova. The transaction is subject to Kellanova shareholder approval and other customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close within the first half of 2025. The transaction agreement permits Kellanova to declare and pay quarterly dividends that are consistent with historical practice prior to the closing of the transaction.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.mars.com/news-and-stories/press-releases-statements/mars-acquisition-august-2024 |title= Mars to Acquire Kellanova |website= mars.com |access-date= 2024-08-14 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240814132819/https://www.mars.com/news-and-stories/press-releases-statements/mars-acquisition-august-2024 |archive-date= 2024-08-14 }}</ref> On December 11, 2025, Mars successfully acquired Kellanova after its $36 biillion bid won European Union approval after regulators backtracked on earlier concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stolton |first=Samuel |date=8 December 2025 |title=Mars Wins Unconditional EU Nod for $36 Billion Kellanova Deal |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-08/mars-wins-unconditional-eu-nod-for-36-billion-kellanova-deal |website=Bloomberg}}</ref>

==Mars Snacking== {{Infobox company | name = Mars Snacking | logo = Mars Snacking 2025.svg | logo_size = 200px | image = Wrigley GIC 20100629.jpg | image_size = 250px | image_caption = Global Innovation Center in Chicago | type = Division | former_name = Mars Wrigley Confectionery <small>(2017–2023)</small> | industry = Food | founded = 2017 | founder = | fate = | hq_location = | hq_location_city = Global Innovation Center, Goose Island (Chicago), Illinois | hq_location_country = U.S. | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = {{unbulleted list|Andrew Clarke (global president)}} | products = {{hlist|Confectionery|Gum|Candy|Mints|Cereals (outside North America)|Crackers|Toaster pastries}} | brands = | revenue = | revenue_year = | net_income = | net_income_year = | num_employees = | parent = Mars Inc. | subsidiaries = {{Plainlist| * Wrigley Company * Accelerator * Hotel Chocolat * Kellanova }} | website = {{URL|https://www.mars.com/our-brands/mars-snacking}} }} '''Mars Snacking''' (formerly known as '''Mars Wrigley Confectionery''') is an American confectionery and snacking division of Mars Inc.. In 2016, Mars announced that the Wrigley Company would be merged with its chocolate segment, '''Mars Chocolate North America''', LLC, to form a new subsidiary, Mars Wrigley Confectionery. The new company would maintain global offices in Chicago, while moving its U.S. offices to Hackettstown and Newark, New Jersey, Wrigley CEO Martin Ravdan would lead the combined business.<ref>{{Cite web |last=de la Merced |first=Michael J. |date=6 October 2016 |title=Mars Cashes Out Warren Buffett to Take Control of Wrigley |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/07/business/dealbook/mars-wrigley-warren-buffett.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McGrath |first=Maggie |date=6 October 2016 |title=Mars Buying Out Warren Buffett To Take Full Control Of Wrigley |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2016/10/06/mars-buying-out-warren-buffett-to-take-full-control-of-wrigley/ |website=Forbes}}</ref> In 2018, the company appointed Andrew Clarke as its CEO, replacing Martin Ravdan, he started his tenure as CEO in September of the same year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-19 |title=Mars CMO promoted to president of confectionery business |url=https://www.marketingweek.com/mars-cmo-president-confectionery/ |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=Marketing Week |language=en}}</ref>

Following the acquisition of Kellanova, it was integrated into a rebranded Mars Snacking (which now uses the Kellogg K and the Wrigley G as part of the logo). Kellanova was also delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and its CEO Steve Cahillane stepped down from the company. The acquisition expanded the division's reach, with more than 50,000 associates and it operating across more than 145 markets with a workforce of around 50,000 employees, the division was valued at more than $30 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-09 |title=Mars receives final EU approval for Kellanova acquisition - Grocery Gazette - Latest Grocery Industry News |url=https://www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2025/12/09/mars-receives-final-eu-approval-for-kellanova-acquisition/ |access-date=2026-01-06 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mars Finalizes Kellanova Acquisition |url=https://www.convenience.org/Media/Daily/2025/December/17/3-Mars-Finalizes-Kellanova-Acquisition_Mergers |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=www.convenience.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lucas |first=Amelia |date=2025-12-16 |title=Kraft Heinz taps former Kellanova CEO Steve Cahillane to lead company ahead of breakup |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/16/kraft-heinz-steve-cahillane-ceo-breakup.html |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>

==Mars Food UK Limited== In 1932, Forrest Mars Sr. opened what was then Mars (Europe) headquarters, and remains Mars (UK) headquarters in Slough, Berkshire<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats - Site Owner|url=https://www.marschocolatedrinksandtreats.com/site-owner-r/|access-date=January 25, 2022|website=www.marschocolatedrinksandtreats.com|archive-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125160456/https://www.marschocolatedrinksandtreats.com/site-owner-r/|url-status=dead}}</ref> on the then-new Slough Trading Estate, after a disagreement with his father, Franklin Clarence Mars. In this factory, he produced the first Mars bar, based on the American Milky Way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sopse.org.uk/ixbin/hixclient.exe?a=query&p=slough&f=generic_theme%2ehtm&_IXFIRST_=1&_IXMAXHITS_=1&%3dtheme_record_id=sl%2dsl%2dmars&s=pTgQXfMaqIi |title=Smoke, Steam and (Computer) Chips: Mars&nbsp;– the Chocolate Planet |publisher=Sopse.org.uk |date=May 17, 1932 |access-date=January 15, 2010}}</ref> The company branch is currently known as ''Mars Food UK Limited'' in the United Kingdom. Mars brands manufactured for the United Kingdom market but not for the United States include Tunes.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

Many brands first created and sold in the United Kingdom were later introduced in the United States, including Starburst (original UK brand name Opal Fruits) and Skittles. The brands Twix and Topic were UK based.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}}

Milky Way in Europe and worldwide is known as the 3 Musketeers in America. Similarly, the Snickers bar was previously marketed in Ireland and the United Kingdom as Marathon until 1990; in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands, also until 1990; Galaxy in the Middle East is known as Dove in America and worldwide. Chocolate and peanut M&M's were introduced in 1980s.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}

===Mars Drinks UK=== Mars Drinks UK, the beverages division of Mars Limited, operates from Slough in Berkshire and specializes in office vending machines. Mars Drinks UK comprises the FLAVIA and KLIX brands which offer branded drinks such as the Starburst Orange Drink, the Maltesers Hot Chocolate and the Galaxy drinks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavazzapro.co.uk/drinks#dbnt=Mars&e=0|title = Drinks}}</ref>

Mars Drinks also produces coffee and the equipment used to make it. In 1982 FLAVIA was created out of the high demand for coffee in the United Kingdom. Initially marketed as ''Dimension 3'' until 1989, FLAVIA was introduced in France and Germany in 1986 and Japan in 1992 then brought to the United States in 1996 and to Canada in 1997. Other products such as cappuccino were introduced in 2002 and tea in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lifestyle.ezinemark.com/flavia-coffee-a-potted-history-16b848870e5.html |title=Flavia coffee a potted history |last=Harland |first=David |work=EzineMark.com |date=October 19, 2010 |access-date=May 21, 2012 }}</ref>

In 2018, the Drinks division was sold to Lavazza.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 1, 2018|title=Lavazza swallows Mars Inc coffee business for around $650 million|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mars-drinks-m-a-lavazza-idUSKCN1MB2T4|access-date=June 17, 2020}}</ref>

==Mars Petcare== Forrest Mars started the pet food industry in Europe, and his Mars Candy Company bought Kal Kan. Forrest Mars changed the name of Kal Kan dog food to Pedigree, and Kal Kan cat food to Whiskas. As of 1991, Mars controlled 60 percent of the pet food market, both in volume and value. Whiskas was the number one brand. As of 1994, Mars was the leading pet food company worldwide with $4 billion in sales.<ref name="Funding Universe">{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/kal-kan-foods-inc-history/|title=Kal Kan Foods, Inc. History|publisher=Funding Universe|access-date=April 23, 2019}}</ref>

In February 2003, Mars acquired Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.<ref>{{citation |url= http://www.ukpets.co.uk/?section=Home&sub=News&method=fetch&item=531 |title= Mars Acquires API |publisher= UKPets |date= February 28, 2003 |access-date= April 22, 2011}}</ref> (API, incorporated in 1964) and in 2007 it was renamed Mars Fishcare, Inc. The company manufactures and supplies home aquarium and pond products.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=6789806 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121012081751/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=6789806 |url-status= dead |archive-date= October 12, 2012 |title= Mars Fishcare Inc. |work= Business Week |access-date= April 22, 2011}}</ref> Mars Fishcare brands include:<ref>{{cite web |url= http://marsfishcare.com/ |title= Welcome |publisher= MarsFishcare.com |access-date= April 22, 2011 |archive-date= April 26, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110426015638/http://marsfishcare.com/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> ''Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (API)'',<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.aquariumpharm.com/about-us/company-history.aspx |title= Company History |publisher= AquariumPharm.com |access-date= April 22, 2011 |archive-date= April 22, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110422064735/http://aquariumpharm.com/about-us/company-history.aspx |url-status= dead }}</ref> ''RENA'',<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rena.net/about-us/company-history.aspx |title= Company History |publisher= RENA.com |access-date= April 22, 2011}}</ref> ''AQUARIAN'',<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.aquarian.com/ |title= Company History |publisher= AQUARIAN.com |access-date= April 22, 2011}}</ref> and ''PondCare''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pondcare.com/about-us/company-history.aspx |title= Company History |publisher= PondCare.com |access-date= April 22, 2011}}</ref>

The company introduced a genetic test for dogs using cheek swabs to identify breed breakdown, trait tests and health risks in 2007 known as Wisdom Panel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://komonews.com/news/consumer/dog-dna-test-kits-results-depend-on-the-test-database|title=Dog DNA test kit results depend on the test database|first=Connie|last=Thompson|date=May 18, 2017|publisher=Komo News}}</ref> In 2018, Mars Petcare acquired Genoscoper Laboratories, a Finnish animal molecular diagnostics company, "to form the basis for future practical applications in enabling precision healthcare for pets" under its genetic testing unit, Wisdom Health.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.genomeweb.com/genetic-research/mars-petcare-acquires-genoscoper-laboratories#.YOd5NS9h0Us|title=Mars Petcare Acquires Genoscoper Laboratories|date=January 11, 2018|publisher=Genomeweb}}</ref> Wisdom Panel DNA testing expanded to include cats in mid 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.petage.com/wisdom-panel-launches-cat-dna-test-donates-30k-to-north-shore-animal-league-america/|title=Wisdom Panel Launches Cat DNA Test, Donates $30K to Rescue Organization|date=June 15, 2021|publisher=Pet Age}}</ref>

In Australia, the division operates three sites that are located in Wodonga, Victoria (established in 1967 for manufacture of wet pet food); Bathurst, New South Wales (established in the 1980s for manufacture of dry pet food); and Brisbane, Queensland (for manufacture of birdcare products).<ref>{{cite web |title=Mars Petcare |url=http://www.marsgraduates.com.au/marspetcare.aspx |publisher=Mars Incorporated |work=Mars Australia: Graduates 2012 |year=2011 |access-date=May 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317134017/http://www.marsgraduates.com.au/marspetcare.aspx |archive-date=March 17, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Mars Petcare manufactures the 'Trill' birdseed range.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/y5831e/y5831e04.htm|title=Production and processing of small seeds for birds|website=www.fao.org|access-date=August 8, 2018}}</ref>

=== Mars Veterinary Health === In 2007, Mars, Incorporated purchased a significant stake in the Banfield Pet Hospital chain.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mars Acquires Banfield Pet Hospital {{!}} Mergr|url=https://mergr.com/mars-acquires-banfield-pet-hospital|access-date=April 22, 2021|website=mergr.com}}</ref>

In October 2015, BluePearl Veterinary Partners was acquired by Mars Petcare division. This acquisition resulted in Mars Petcare becoming the largest pet nutrition and veterinary care provider in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2015-12-01/bluepearl-banfield-now-part-same-company|title=BluePearl, Banfield now part of same company|website=American Veterinary Medical Association|date=November 17, 2015 }}</ref>

In January 2017, Mars Veterinary Health North America announced the US$7.7 billion acquisition of Los Angeles-based animal hospital chain VCA Inc.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-09/mars-expands-in-pet-care-with-9-1-billion-deal-for-vca|title=Mars Expands in Pet Care With $7.7 Billion Purchase of VCA|website=bloomberg.com |date=January 9, 2017 |access-date=January 10, 2017}}</ref>

In June 2018, Mars Veterinary Health International and Diagnostics acquired the Linnaeus Group consolidating its position as a leading veterinary provider in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sovereigncapital.co.uk/news/sovereign-sells-veterinary-services-provider-linnaeus-its-biggest-ever-exit/|title=Sovereign sells veterinary services provider Linnaeus in its biggest ever exit|website=www.sovereigncapital.co.uk|access-date=August 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=VIN News|website = Vin.com|date = August 2, 2008|url=https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&Id=9297861|last1 = Fiala|first1 = Jennifer}}</ref>

==Factories== In 1963, a large factory was opened in Veghel in the Netherlands. This factory has currently the biggest production volume of Mars factories and is one of the biggest chocolate factories in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mars.com/Netherlands/en/Who+we+are.htm |title=Mars Netherlands&nbsp;– Home |publisher=Mars.com |access-date=January 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429043109/http://www.mars.com/Netherlands/en/Who%2Bwe%2Bare.htm |archive-date=April 29, 2009 }}</ref> Most confectionery products for Europe were produced in Slough and Veghel. The two factories in Slough were located on Liverpool Road and Dundee Road; the one on Liverpool Road closed in 2007, with Twix production moving to the Netherlands and Starburst production moving to the Czech Republic.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/4335967.stm |title=Mars cuts 700 from UK workforce |work=BBC News |date=March 10, 2005 |access-date=January 15, 2010}}</ref>

The major production plant for Mars confectionery products in Australia is in Ballarat, Victoria.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sobey |first=Emily |url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/mars-celebrates-30-years-in-ballarat/1688226.aspx |title=Mars celebrates 30 years in Ballarat |work=The Courier |location=Ballarat, Australia |date=November 25, 2009 |access-date=February 10, 2010}}</ref>

There is one factory outside of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yelp.com/biz/m-and-m-mars-elizabethtown|title=M & M Mars|date=November 29, 2007|work=Yelp}}</ref> The factory in Chicago, Illinois, has its own commuter rail station, simply named Mars. The company announced in early 2022 that it intends to close the Chicago factory in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Studenkov |first=Igor |date=February 1, 2022 |title=Just north of Oak Park, historic Mars candy factory to close |url=https://www.oakpark.com/2022/02/01/just-north-of-oak-park-historic-mars-candy-factory-to-close/ |access-date=April 4, 2022 |website=Oak Park |language=en-US}}</ref> The building will remain in the hands of Chicago's Galewood neighborhood residents.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2022 |title=With some creative thinking, the Mars candy factory closing could have a sweet aftertaste |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/1/29/22902880/mars-candy-factory-closing-could-have-a-sweet-aftertaste-editorial |access-date=April 4, 2022 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}</ref>

==Brands== {{See also|List of Mars Inc. brands}}

Many Mars products are household, famous-name brands. Some of these product lines are manufactured by Mars; others are manufactured by The Wrigley Company.

===Original food products=== {{col-begin}} {{col-4}} *3 Musketeers *Ben's Original *Bounty *Celebrations *Cirku *CocoaVia *Combos *Dolmio *Dove *Ebly *Ethel M *FLAVIA {{col-4}} *Flyte *Foodspring *Galaxy *Galaxy Bubbles *Galaxy Minstrels *Kan Tong *M-Azing *M&M's *MasterFoods *Maltesers *Marathon {{col-4}} *Mars *Milky Way *Munch *Promite *Revels *Seeds of Change *Snickers *Topic *Tracker *Treets *Twix {{col-4}} {{multiple image | header = | align = | direction = | total_width = 300 | perrow = 2 | image1 = Bounty-Split.jpg | caption1 = Bounty | image2 = M&m2.jpg | caption2 = M&M's | image3 = Twix-broken.jpg | caption3 = Twix | image4 = 6792Foods in Baliuag, Bulacan 05.jpg | caption4 = Combos | footer = }} {{col-end}}

==== Confectionery products ==== '''Note''': manufactured by Wrigley Company

{{col-begin}} {{col-4}} *5 (gum) *Airwaves *Altoids *Big Red *Bubble Tape *Doublemint *Eclipse *Eclipse Ice *Excel {{col-4}} *Extra *Freedent *Hubba Bubba *Juicy Fruit *Life Savers *Lockets *Orbit *Ouch! *Rondo {{col-4}} *Skittles *Spearmint *Starburst *Sugus *Surpass *Tunes *Winterfresh *Wrigley's {{col-4}} {{multiple image | header = | align = | direction = | total_width = 300 | perrow = 2 | image1 = Minty (34757056).jpg | caption1 = Altoids mints | image2 = Wrigley's Juicy Fruit.jpg | caption2 = Juicy Fruit gum | image3 = 2019-11-08 15 54 59 The contents of a fun-size packet of Skittles in the Dulles section of Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia.jpg | caption3 = Skittles candy | image4 = Starburst candy.jpg | caption4 = Starburst candy | footer = }} {{col-end}}

===Products for pet consumption=== {{col-begin}} {{col-4}} *Buckeye Nutrition *Eukanuba *The Goodlife Recipe *Iams {{col-4}} *Nutro Products *Cesar *Pedigree {{col-4}} *Royal Canin *Sheba *Whiskas {{col-4}} {{multiple image | header = | align = | direction = | total_width = 300 | perrow = 2 | image1 = Bags of Beneful and Pedigree dog food on shelves 2006.jpg | caption1 = Bags of Beneful and Pedigree | image2 = Dry cat food 01.jpg | caption2 = Royal Canin cat food | footer = }} {{col-end}}

===Discontinued product lines=== {{div col|colwidth=20em}} *Banjo Candy Bar *Bisc & *Cookies & *Kudos *Lucas Candy *Pacers *PB Max *Spangles *Summit Cookie Bars {{div col end}}

==Veterinary services== '''Mars Veterinary Health North America ''' *Banfield Pet Hospital<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mars.com/global/Who+We+Are/Locations/North+America/United+States/United+States.htm|title=Mars in United States|publisher=Mars|access-date=June 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429063053/http://www.mars.com/global/Who+We+Are/Locations/North+America/United+States/United+States.htm|archive-date=April 29, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> – 1,054 sites{{when|date=March 2021}} *BluePearl Veterinary Partners – 61 sites{{when|date=March 2021}} *Pet Partners – 86 sites{{when|date=March 2021}} *VCA Animal Hospitals – 917 sites{{when|date=March 2021}}

'''Mars Veterinary Health International''' *AniCura – 280 sites{{when|date=March 2021}} *Antech Diagnostics / Sound *Asia Veterinary Diagnostics *Linnaeus Veterinary Group – 148 sites{{when|date=March 2021}} *Mount Pleasant Veterinary Group *Veterinary Emergency & Specialty (VES) Hospital Singapore *VSH Hong Kong

==Awards and honors== The company was named by ''Fortune'' magazine as one of the top 100 companies to work for in 2013, citing the example that employees of the pet food division can take their dogs to work.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2013/snapshots/95.html?iid=bc_lp_arrow1 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120090422/http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2013/snapshots/95.html?iid=bc_lp_arrow1 | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 20, 2013 | work=CNN | title=100 Best Companies to Work For 2013 - Mars - Fortune}}</ref>

The company has made donations to Elizabethtown College, which includes a room sponsored by them and a weekly executive lecture series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://now.etown.edu/index.php/2015/08/13/elizabethtown-college-mm-mars-partner-to-share-executive-lectures/|title=E-town Now – Elizabethtown College, M&M Mars partner to share executive lectures|access-date=September 9, 2015|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905133257/http://now.etown.edu/index.php/2015/08/13/elizabethtown-college-mm-mars-partner-to-share-executive-lectures/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etown.edu/offices/special-events/spaces.aspx|title=Meeting and Conference Spaces - Elizabethtown College|website=www.etown.edu}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" |- ! Year !! Association !! Category !! Nominee(s) !! Result |- ||2017 ||| Diversity in Media Awards || Marketing Campaign of the Year || ''Maltesers - Dance Floor (TV Advert)'' || {{nom}} |- ||2020 ||| Vet Help Direct || Best Vet in the United Kingdom 2020 || ''Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service (part of Linnaeus Group)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Willows wins Best UK Vet Awards|date=March 17, 2020|url=https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/willows-wins-best-uk-vet-awards/}}</ref>'' || {{win}} |}

==Consumer relations== Mars remains a family business owned by the Mars family. The company is famous for its secrecy. A 1993 ''Washington Post Magazine'' article was a rare raising of the veil, as the reporter was able to see the "M"s being applied to the M&M's, something that "no outsider had ever before been invited to observe".<ref name=":1" /> In 1999, for example, the company did not acknowledge that Forrest Mars Sr. had died or that he had worked for the company.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 22, 2020 |title=400 million M&Ms churned out each day, half in NJ |url=https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2020/10/mms-400-million-mars-inc-hackettstown-milk-chocolate-factory/}}</ref> As of 2019, the company had "aggressively" moved away from its model of secrecy through the media and sponsorships.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Allen |first=Lawrence |date=June 4, 2018 |title=Global M&A: Still the chocolate industry sweetspot? |journal=Thunderbird International Business Review |volume=61 |issue=2 |pages=455–456 |doi=10.1002/tie.21996}}</ref>

==Controversies== ===Climate change=== In 2025, Mars and other major food manufacturers were named in a report by the NewClimate Institute and Carbon Market Watch for failing to set a methane emissions reduction target or shift away from animal-based protein, and overstating progress by relying on greenhouse gas removal rather than source reduction. The report also noted that Mars had failed to establish a timeline to source only deforestation-free cocoa.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Watson |first1=Elaine |title=Danone and Nestlé hit back after new report accuses Big Food of ‘corporate greenwashing.’ |url=https://agfundernews.com/new-report-accuses-big-food-of-corporate-greenwashing-danone-and-nestle-hit-back |access-date=3 December 2025 |work=AgFunderNews |date=5 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sherrington |first1=Rachel |last2=Healy |first2=Hazel |title=Food Giants’ Climate Plans Lack Credibility, New Report Finds |url=https://www.desmog.com/2025/06/03/food-giants-climate-plans-lack-credibility-new-report-finds/ |access-date=3 December 2025 |work=DeSmog |date=3 June 2025}}</ref>

=== Unethical treatment of animals === In 2007, Mars came under criticism from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2007 |title=Mars angers activists over animal testing |url=https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2007/12/12/mars-angers-activists-over-animal-testing/ |access-date=November 3, 2025 |website=Confectionery NEws}}</ref> for funding laboratory experiments on mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits, which the group alleges are inhumane and in violation of the company's own policies prohibiting experiments on animals.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bartz |first=Diane |date=December 8, 2007 |title=PETA boycotting Mars candy co. over animal cruelty |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/science-mars-peta-boycott-dc-idUKN0731748320071208?rpc=92 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105100843/http://uk.reuters.com/article/science-mars-peta-boycott-dc-idUKN0731748320071208?rpc=92 |archive-date=January 5, 2016 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref>

One study was conducted in collaboration with the Salk Institute regarding angiogenesis and spatial memory, in which mice were given an ''ad-lib'' diet that included epicatechin, plant-derived flavonoid. One of the experiments involved groups of control and experimental animals, the latter of which were housed individually in cages that included a running wheel for optional exercise for two hours a day. The former, also housed individually, did not have access to a running wheel. Another experiment was the classical spatial memory assay, the Morris water maze, in which experimenters had mice swim in water mixed with white paint that concealed the water depth. The study, which Mars contends was legally required in order for the company to make flavonoid-related health claims, showed that the inclusion of epicatechin in the diet improved memory and angiogenesis, more so if coupled with exercise.<ref>van Praag H, Lucero MJ, Yeo GW, Stecker K, Heivand N, Zhao C, Yip E, Afanador M, Schroeter H, Hammerstone J, Gage FH '' Plant-Derived Flavanol Epicatechin Enhances Angiogenesis and Retention of Spatial Memory in Mice'' J Neuroscience, 27(22):5869-5878, May 30, 2007</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mars Center For Cocoa Health Science |url=http://www.healthycocoa.com/studies/311.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925073354/http://www.healthycocoa.com/studies/311.html |archive-date=September 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Eyre |first1=Charlotte |date=December 12, 2007 |title=Mars angers activists over animal testing |url=http://www.confectionerynews.com/Manufacturers/Mars-angers-activists-over-animal-testing |access-date=February 10, 2015 |agency=Confectionery News}}</ref>

=== Child labor and slave labor === Mars has been criticized for buying cocoa beans from West African farmers who reportedly use unpaid or poorly paid child laborers. In 2009, Mars announced that the company would work towards only purchasing cocoa from suppliers who meet environmental, labor, and production standards. TransFair USA, an organization which certifies products as Fair Trade, applauded the move and expressed hope that it would include a provision for fair wages for laborers and farmers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lazo |first=Alejandro |date=April 10, 2009 |title=Mars Sets Goal for Sustainable Cocoa Sources |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/09/AR2009040903943.html |access-date=March 4, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> In 2010, Mars Inc. received the U.S. Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Remarks at the 12th Annual Secretary's Awards for Corporate Excellence |url=https://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/12/153123.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222173609/http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2010/12/153123.htm |archive-date=December 22, 2010 |access-date=August 8, 2018}}</ref> In April 2010, Mars launched the MyCocoaPaper initiative, which claims to provide economic opportunities to women and families in Indonesia by making paper products out of cocoa bark and recycled office paper.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Cocoa Paper Product Line Provides Economic Opportunities For Cocoa Farming Families |url=http://www.mars.com/global/news-and-media/press-releases/news-releases.aspx?SiteId=94&Id=1819 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820051043/http://www.mars.com/global/news-and-media/press-releases/news-releases.aspx?SiteId=94&Id=1819 |archive-date=August 20, 2010 |access-date=March 31, 2011 |publisher=Mars Inc.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Grosser |first1=Kate |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Ko0DwAAQBAJ&q=MyCocoaPaper+initiative&pg=PT157 |title=Gender Equality and Responsible Business: Expanding CSR Horizons |last2=McCarthy |first2=Lauren |last3=Kilgour |first3=Maureen A. |date=September 8, 2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781351286343 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2011, Mars and Fairtrade International announced an agreement to introduce the first Fairtrade labeled Mars product and to work together to enable farmers to have sustainable livelihoods and substantially increased productivity. The first Mars product to carry the Fairtrade mark was Maltesers, which appeared in stores in 2012 in the UK and Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairtrade certified Maltesers hit UK stores |url=http://20years.fairtrade.org.uk/fairtrade-certified-maltesers-hit-uk-stores/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303171118/http://20years.fairtrade.org.uk/fairtrade-certified-maltesers-hit-uk-stores/ |archive-date=March 3, 2019 |access-date=March 18, 2019 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=September 26, 2011 |title=Mars goes Fairtrade with Maltesers |url=https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2011/09/27/Mars-goes-Fairtrade-with-Maltesers |access-date=March 18, 2019 |website=foodnavigator.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2019, Mars announced that they could not guarantee that their chocolate products were free from child slave labor, as they could trace only 24% of their purchasing back to the farm level (see below). The ''Washington Post'' noted that the commitment taken in 2001 to eradicate such practices within 4 years had not been kept, neither at the due deadline of 2005, nor within the revised deadlines of 2008 and 2010, and that the result was not likely to be achieved for 2020 either.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whoriskey |first1=Peter |last2=Siegel |first2=Rachel |date=June 5, 2019 |title=Cocoa's child laborers |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2019/business/hershey-nestle-mars-chocolate-child-labor-west-africa/ |access-date=September 3, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

In 2021, Mars was named in a class action lawsuit filed by eight former child slaves from Mali who alleged that the company aided and abetted their enslavement on cocoa plantations in Ivory Coast. The suit accused Mars (along with Nestlé, Cargill, Barry Callebaut, Olam International, the Hershey Company, and Mondelez International) of knowingly engaging in forced labor, and the plaintiffs sought damages for unjust enrichment, negligent supervision, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.<ref>{{cite news |last=Balch |first=Oliver |date=February 12, 2021 |title=Mars, Nestlé and Hershey to face child slavery lawsuit in US |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/12/mars-nestle-and-hershey-to-face-landmark-child-slavery-lawsuit-in-us |access-date=February 13, 2021}}</ref> In June 2021, the United States Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit on the grounds that as the abuse had happened outside the United States, the group did not have standing to file such a lawsuit.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57522186 US Supreme Court blocks child slavery lawsuit against chocolate firms] ''BBC'' 18 June 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2023,</ref>

Mars scored a yellow rating, the second highest of four possible scores, "Starting to implement good policies", on the 2022 Chocolate Scorecard, which rates all the large chocolate companies on their record in eliminating child labour, providing a living income to cocoa farmers and traceability/transparency.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=2022 Chocolate Scorecard |url=https://www.chocolatescorecard.com/s/Chocolate-Scorecard-2022-Eng.pdf |access-date=November 16, 2022 |website=The Chocolate Scorecard}}</ref> In its own scorecard on human rights and environmental credentials, Mars states that it has traced the source of their cocoa to 132,000 of the farms that supply their cocoa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sustainable in a Generation Plan 2020 Scorecard |url=https://www.mars.com/sites/g/files/jydpyr316/files/2021-07/SIGP-Scorecard-2020_072729.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316031627/https://www.mars.com/sites/g/files/jydpyr316/files/2021-07/SIGP-Scorecard-2020_072729.pdf |archive-date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=July 11, 2022 |website=Mars}}</ref>

A CBS television news investigation in 2023 found children as young as five years old working in the Ghana supply chain of Mars to harvest cocoa for brands such as Snickers and M&Ms.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Patta |first1=Debora |last2=Carter |first2=Sarah |last3=Guzman |first3=Javier |last4=Breen |first4=Kerry |date=2023-11-29 |title=Candy company Mars uses cocoa harvested by kids as young as 5 in Ghana: CBS News investigation - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/children-harvesting-cocoa-used-by-major-corporations-ghana/ |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Deforestation in African national parks === In September 2017, an investigation<ref>[http://www.mightyearth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/chocolates_dark_secret_english_web.pdf "Chocolate's Dark Secret"]. September 2017.</ref> conducted by NGO Mighty Earth found that a large amount of the cocoa used in chocolate produced by Mars and other major chocolate companies was grown illegally in national parks and other protected areas in Ivory Coast and Ghana.<ref>"[http://49tmko49h46b4e0czy3rlqaye1b.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Olam-Livelihood-Charter-report-2016-2.pdf Olam Livelihood Charter 2016: Equipping smallholders to secure their future]," Olam, 2016. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055533/http://49tmko49h46b4e0czy3rlqaye1b.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Olam-Livelihood-Charter-report-2016-2.pdf|date=November 7, 2017}}</ref> The countries are the world's two largest cocoa producers.<ref>''"''[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1573521415000160 Cocoa production in West Africa, a review and analysis of recent developments]." ''NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences.'' 74-75 (2015): 1-7.</ref><ref>"[http://www.wri.org/blog/2015/08/how-much-rainforest-chocolate-bar How Much Rainforest Is in That Chocolate Bar?]" ''World Resources Institute''. August 6, 2015.</ref>

The report documents show, in several national parks and other protected areas, 90% or more of the land mass has been converted to cocoa.<ref>"[http://www.tropicalconservationscience.org/ Cocoa farming and primate extirpation inside The Ivory Coast’s protected areas.]" ''Tropical Conservation Science''. 8.1(2015): 95-113.</ref> Less than four percent of Ivory Coast remains densely forested, and the chocolate companies' laissez-faire approach to sourcing has driven extensive deforestation in Ghana as well.<ref>"[http://www.etcterra.org/download/161216081210-161214-analyse-facteurs-def-deg-ci-rapport-final.pdf Analyse qualitative des facteurs de déforestation et de dégradation des forêts en Côte d’Ivoire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021128/http://www.etcterra.org/download/161216081210-161214-analyse-facteurs-def-deg-ci-rapport-final.pdf|date=November 7, 2017}}"; Rapport Final, November 10, 2016</ref> In Ivory Coast, deforestation has pushed chimpanzees into just a few small pockets, and reduced the country's elephant population from several hundred thousand to about 200–400.<ref>Covey, R. and McGraw, W. S. "[http://www.eva.mpg.de/fileadmin/content_files/staff/boesch/pdf/prim_cen_distr.pdf Monkeys in a West African bushmeat market: implications for cercopithecid conservation in eastern Liberia.]" ''Tropical Conservation Science''. 7.1 (2014): 115-125.</ref><ref>Marchesi, P., Marchesi, N., Fruth, B., and Boesch, C. "[http://www.eva.mpg.de/fileadmin/content_files/staff/boesch/pdf/prim_cen_distr.pdf Census and Distribution of Chimpanzees in Cote D’Ivoire.]" ''PRIMATES''. 36.4(1995): 591-607.</ref><ref>"[http://wwf.panda.org/?201553/Poaching-contributes-to-forest-elephant-declines-in-Cte-dIvoire-new-numbers-reveal Poaching contributes to forest elephant declines in Côte d’Ivoire, new numbers reveal.]" ''WWF''. September 5, 2011.</ref>

On the 2022 Chocolate Scorecard, Mars scored the second highest of four possible scores for "Deforestation and Climate" and "Agroforestry", "starting to implement good policies". Mars scored a lower rating (third of the four) for "Agrochemical Management", "needs more work on policy and implementation".<ref name=":0" />

==See also== * Big Chocolate * List of food companies {{Clear}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20081007123922/http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1405139498.html Stephen Beckett, ''Industrial Chocolate Manufacture and Use, Fourth Edition'', Wiley-Blackwell, 2008] {{ISBN|978-1-4051-3949-6}}.

==External links== {{commons category}} * {{official website}} * {{OpenCorp|Mars}} * [https://www.marscocoascience.com/?ref=marssymbioscience.com Symbioscience] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160202074222/http://www.masterfoods.com/ Masterfoods] (archived) * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130116054248/http://cocoasustainability.com/ Cocoa Sustainability Initiative] (archived)

{{Mars brands}} {{Authority control}} {{Portal bar|Business|Companies|Food|Virginia}}

Category:Veterinary companies of the United Kingdom Category:Mars, Incorporated Category:1911 establishments in Washington (state) Category:American chocolate companies Category:Animal food manufacturers Category:Companies based in McLean, Virginia Category:Confectionery companies of the United States Category:Family-owned companies of the United States Category:Food and drink companies established in 1911 Category:Food manufacturers of the United States Category:Manufacturing companies based in Virginia Category:Manufacturing companies based in Newark, New Jersey Category:Mars family Category:Multinational companies headquartered in the United States Category:Multinational food companies Category:Privately held companies based in Virginia Category:Snack food manufacturers of the United States Category:Veterinary companies of the United States Category:Dog food brands