Specialists At Leading Law Firm Irwin Mitchell Call For Thorough Investigation To Reassure Customers

Expert public health lawyers are urging consumers not to disregard Mars’ recall of Galaxy products because of the potential presence of salmonella.

Mars Chocolate UK and Mars Ireland are voluntarily recalling a number of products including Malteasers Teasers bars, Galaxy chocolate bars, Galaxy Counters and Minstrels over the potential presence of the bacteria.

Expert Opinion

“We have seen at first-hand the effect salmonella can have on people and would encourage anyone who has bought one of the recalled products to heed health advice and not to eat it. The very young, the very elderly and those who suffer with gastrointestinal conditions are particularly vulnerable to suffering serious health effects from salmonella.

“It’s positive that Mars has chosen to recall its Galaxy products as a precaution, and consumers should feel reassured. Anyone who feels unwell after eating one of the products should seek advice from their GP or the NHS 111 service.

“It’s also important that Mars now launches an investigation into the potential contamination to tighten up safety measures and to reassure its consumers.” Sallie Booth - Partner

In 2016 Mars recalled chocolate bars in 55 countries after a customer found a piece of red plastic in a Snickers bar.

In June 2006, the Food Standards Agency forced Cadburys to withdraw a million chocolate bars from shops and supermarkets after Salmonella Montevideo was identified at one of its factories. The Health Protection Agency identified 42 people who had been infected with this rare strain of Salmonella, which caused diarrhoea, vomiting fever, chills and headaches. The contamination was traced to a leaking pipe at Cadbury's plant in Herefordshire.

Cadbury was fined £1 million in June 2008 following the outbreak which left three victims in hospital. The company pleaded guilty to nine food safety offences at an earlier hearing and was also ordered to pay costs of more than £152,000 by the judge at the Birmingham Crown Court.

Irwin Mitchell represented a number of clients who suffered illness as a result of contracting Salmonella Montevideo.

Mars Chocolate UK and Mars Ireland’s precautionary recall in the UK and Ireland concerns specific batches by the manufacturers including Galaxy milk 200g best before May or 13, 2018, 4x42g multipack bars, 42g bar, Galaxy Counters 78g treat bag best before May 6, 2018, 112g pouch, Malteasers Teasers 35g bar and Minstrels 118g pouch (carrying the ‘Sweet Nights In’ promotion) and best before May 13, 2018.

No other brands or varieties of chocolate, pack formats, bar sizes or best before dates are affected.

The firm detected the possible presence of Salmonella from the ingredients used in making some of its Galaxy products while carrying out routine testing.

A small number of the products have been distributed, and although there have been no related complaints, as a precaution Mars voluntarily recalled the products “to ensure the confidence and safety of consumers.”

Anyone with one of the products listed should not eat it but instead keep the product and contact the Mars Consumer Care team to arrange return and a refund.

Read more about the work of Irwin Mitchell's Public Health Team here.