New green Mars Bar on the way

Mars bar fans will soon be enjoying a greener and more responsibly made product according to the US manufacturer.

The company plans to use ingredients, such as cocoa, that are renewable, in all its chocolate sweets by 2020.

Mars said these measures will not lead to an increase in its products’ prices in spite of the millions of dollars the company will have to spend.

The first product to be made this way is Galaxy, which sells well in the UK and Ireland.

This chocolate will have on the wrapper a seal from Rainforest Alliance, a New York based, nonprofit organization.

To be a cocoa supplier to Mars, traders will be required to comply with worker welfare, environmental and quality targets set by Mars.

Rainforest Alliance and Mars have teamed up to achieve this together with aiming for higher yields from cocoa farmers who are conscious of the importance of protecting the environment.

Chris Wille from Rainforest Alliance said that training must be given to farmers to increase yields.

He went on to say that both the coffee and cocoa industries now understand the importance of the farmers, not just the traders, to ensure regular supply and quality.

The farmers suffer from poverty because of price volatility, exhausted soils and bad weather, he added.

Mars has been working to ensure reliable cocoa supplies.

In 2008 it started a study of the genetic make up of cocoa plants to enable the cultivation of species that are more resistant to diseases and water shortages.

This will cost $10 million over five-years.

Director of Plant Science for Mars, Howard-Yana Shapiro, said this is essential for future supplies of cocoa and the right thing for a global company to do.

The International Cocoa Organization says that cocoa is cultivated on four to six acres plots and almost all is grown by only around 3 million smallholders in West African countries.

Paul Rice, the CEO of TransFair USA, which confirms commodities are fairly produced, said that Mars is taking the right steps.

Mars should assist farmers by requiring better and more equitable wages and giving them a measure of protection. Child labour is often used in the industry he said.

Cadbury said last month that by autumn this year its Dairy Milk chocolate will have a Fairtrade Foundation seal.