http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-17/news/31073346_1_chocolate-world-portion-sizes-calories
This is Mars Inc.'s first effort to shift their products--and thus, their company and brand image--to be more healthy and acceptable in our increasingly health-conscious society. By the end of next year, they will no longer produce any candy bar that exceeds 250 calories, keeping the sweet treats at a healthy portion size. I think this is a wonderful--and SMART--shift in their marketing strategy: not only will it help people stick to smaller portions, cut back on calories, and possibly lose weight, but it will also be perceived as healthier and more acceptable by consumers, which will expand their target market to include health-conscious people. So while they are promoting a socially responsible product and health initiative to fight obesity rates, they will also hopefully see a jump in their profits. Not to mention, they will be cutting back on the variable costs needed to produce their "skinnier" bars.
Such a great advancement in my oppinion! It goes to show that our nation really is starting to ride the "health crazy" train. The market does respond to trends and thankfully this trend is for the better! I wonder if any other products will follow their example? We have seen restaurants try to make the switch by offering healthier options and informing customers on calorie counts...now candy companies are changing too!
ReplyDeleteThey also must see a decline in sales for the king size bars in order to justify taking it off the market. I think it would be hard for M&M Mars to push the healthy card because they make candy which is in short not healthy. It does go againts the hype on big everything here in the US
ReplyDeleteFirst a 510 calorie candy bar existence is news to me and I'm surprised its taken this long for them to scrap the idea. There can't be that many people who were buying a candy bar of that size unless your saving it somehow and eating it in segments. And about the calorie count for restaurants, is that a mandatory law now to show all calories for every meal or is that just a strategy a lot of restaurants are using?
ReplyDeleteAs a part of the health care legislation President Obama passed in 2010, all chain restaurants (with 20+ locations) are required to print calorie counts on all menus. I don't think they all had to do this right away though...I know that Vermont restaurants changed their menus about a year ago, but it's definitely not that way in a lot of other states. Maybe they all have to be converted by a certain date.
ReplyDeleteThis conversion has been really controversial, because a lot of people are going for "ignorance is bliss" when going out to eat. However, I think that this is really helpful for those making an effort to be healthy and that what people are putting into their bodies is one thing that they should not be ignorant about.