Mars and Snickers bars recalled across Europe

The maker of Mars and Snickers has recalled chocolate bars in 55 countries after pieces of plastic were found in its products.

In the UK, Mars Funsize and Milky Way Funsize bars, Snickers Miniatures, some variety packs and Celebrations boxes with best before dates ranging from 8 May 2016 and 2 October 2016 are affected by the recall, and should not be eaten.

Mars UK said in a statement: “This is an isolated incident.

“No other varieties of chocolate, pack formats or bar sizes are affected in the UK and no other best before dates or products manufactured at any other location are impacted.”

Mars, Snickers, Milky Way and Celebrations products in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, but not the US, are also affected, the AFP news agency reported.

The products recalled were all made at a factory in Veghel, in the southern Netherlands, and then exported abroad, the AFP news agency reports.

A piece of red plastic was found in a Snickers bar in Germany on 8 January. The plastic was traced back to the protective covers used in the Veghel factory, and as a precaution the rest of the chocolates from that production line have been recalled.

The products being recalled in the UK are:

– 250g bags of Mars Funsize, product code AV39F, with a best before date from 11/09/16 to 02/10/16.
– 227g bags of Milky Way Funsize, product code AV39J, with best before date of 02/10/16.
– Variety Funsize – Family Favourites, product code AV33W, with best before date from 29/05/16 to 14/08/16.
– Variety Funsize – Party Mix, product code: AV33T, with best before date from 15/05/16 to 07/08/16.
-388g boxes of Celebrations, product code AJ46N, with a best before date from 08/05/16 to 28/08/16.
-245g boxes of Celebrations, product code AJ46R, with a best before date from 08/05/16 to 28/08/16.
-2.5kg catering cases of Snickers Miniatures, product code YF413, with best before date 07/08/16 and 14/08/16.

Mars did not say how many products were affected, or what the cost could be.

This is the first time products have had to be recalled from the Veghel factory, which opened in 1963.

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority said on its website the pieces of plastic posed a choking hazard.

The Mars website was not responding on Tuesday afternoon.

Customers who are concerned can call Mars on 0800 952 0084.