WASHINGTON — A global group of candymakers, including McLean-based candy giant Mars, are promising healthier products with a commitment to making half their individually wrapped candy products 200 calories or less by 2022.
The companies, which are working to educate consumers that candy is “a treat” not “a snack,” are also replacing the label “King Size” with “Sharing Size” on larger serving sizes of their products.
Other candymakers signing on to the pledge include Nestle, Lint, Ferrara Candy and Ferrero. The group represents about half the global confectionary market, according to Fortune.
The commitments are in collaboration with the nonprofit Partnership for a Healthier America.
Mars says it has been working for years to make its products healthier and to educate consumers. It was the first candy company to introduce front-of-pack calorie labeling and to remove “King Size” varieties. Mars also recently launched M & M’s Caramel and Maltesers that have less than 200 calories.
“By joining forces with PHA and other leading confectionery manufacturers to create even deeper commitments, we are taking an important step forward to transform the entire industry so we can evolve to meet and exceed the demands of today’s consumers,” said Tracey Massey, president of Mars Chocolate North America.
Mars’ vast list of popular candies includes Snickers, Milky Way, Twix, Dove, 3 Musketeers, Skittles and Starburst. It also owns Wrigley gum.
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