In the wake of the milk crisis in China, the Department of Health issued a precautionary instruction to municipalities to uplift product samples containing diary that were manufactured in China. The preliminary investigations by the authorities in South Africa had identified M&M's as being imported from China and hence issued a Detention Order to a number of retailers, in order to test the melamine levels of the retained samples.
The Department of Health has now confirmed that they have lifted the Detention Orders implicating M&M's in all municipalities within South Africa.
"We are not surprised by the Department of Health results, but happy that we can add the results to the overwhelming body of evidence that proves our products have not been adulterated with melamine and are indeed of high quality," said Ian Burton, MD for Mars Africa. "Consumers can be assured that they can continue to enjoy the Mars products they have loved for years."
The positive outcome of the melamine test results were not surprising to Mars Africa; to date, food safety regulators in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines and South Africa have confirmed that all Mars products tested are safe. In addition to government testing, independent laboratories in Australia, Germany and South Africa- Cape Town have tested numerous samples of milk powder used in Mars chocolate products made in China and has confirmed the safety of Mars products.
Mars Africa has consistently reiterated that all its chocolates are safe for consumption and it is unfortunate that an element of doubt was raised with consumers during this time. None of the suppliers implicated in the Chinese melamine adulteration supply of any of Mars Africa's dairy products and stringent quality controls are in place in all Mars factories.
