Mars, Snickers bars recalled in Oman

Muscat: A leading hypermarket chain in Oman has pulled off the Snickers (Miniatures), Mars (Minis and Miniatures) and Best of Our Minis chocolate bars from its shelves after news of a recall by the chocolate maker was published.
“We have not gotten any instruction from anybody. However, based on the news, we have instructed all our outlets to remove the Mars chocolate bars from the shelves,” a senior official from the Lulu hypermarket in Oman, said.
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According to a statement from Mars Gulf, the chocolates made in the Netherlands factory have been recalled from the Gulf Cooperation Council market, including Oman.
The chocolates have been withdrawn after a piece of red plastic was found in a Snickers bar purchased in Germany.
“This is a voluntary measure taken by Mars to avoid any possibility of health hazards that may be caused by the presence of pieces of plastics,” Mars Gulf said in a statement. “This is an isolated incident that is limited to the products above that were produced in the Netherlands. This incident has no impact on any of our other chocolate brands or products outside the list (given below) or produced in other countries regardless of format, size, batches or packaging,” the statement added.
According to reports, Mars chocolates have been recalled in 56 countries.
“As far as we know there are 55 countries involved,” Eline Bijveld, Mars’ corporate affairs coordinator for the Netherlands told the AFP news agency earlier in the day, refusing to reveal the whole list.
Mars is one of the world’s biggest food companies, with 29 chocolate brands, including M&M’s, Galaxy, Twix, Bounty and Maltesers. It also makes Wrigley gum, Uncle Ben’s Rice, Dolmio pasta sauce and Pedigree pet food.
The company is one of the largest privately owned businesses in the United States and reported global sales of $33 billion last year.