Mars Inc. – College Essay Example

Ben’s, Dolmio, Ebly, Masterfoods, Seeds of Change (in the Food segment), Klix and Flavia (in the Drinks segment), as well as Wisdom Panel, Seramis, Cirkuhealth and Cocoa (in the Symbioscience segment).

(Mars.com, 2011) Mars is actively promoting the nutritional value of its products and encouraging healthy and active lifestyles through various local communications, campaigns, and partnerships with governments. To further this effort, they are launching the "Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation" initiative (http://www.healthyweightcommit).

Mars has partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama and the "Partnership for a Healthier America" to address obesity in the United States, especially among children. As a founding member of this program, Mars is taking a leading role and has committed to reducing annual calorie intake across their member companies. They aim to decrease calorie intake by 1 trillion from 2008 levels by the end of 2015. The ultimate goal is to achieve this reduction by 2012 and maintain it going forward ("Mars Chocolate", 2011). In addition, Mars is actively promoting new chocolate snacks that have lower cholesterol and support artery health.

Consuming 2 portions of Mars' fortified chocolate is necessary to benefit from the cholesterol-lowering effects of 2 grams of plant sterol. However, this daily dose also adds an extra 200 calories ("Take two", 2006). It is currently challenging to determine how the initial findings about cocoa flavanols having antioxidant effects will result in measurable clinical benefits (Lancet, 2005). Additionally, Mars has actively participated in a UK government-supported initiative against obesity called "Change 4 Life" and partnered with other food companies such as Cadbury, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kraft, Nestle and Tesco - the largest supermarket chain in the UK.

The coalition of food, soft drink, fitness, and

broadcasting companies will contribute $268 million in cash and "in-kind" donations, such as free airtime on television in 2009. The specific commitments of each company are still in the planning stages. However, Mars is expected to rebrand future health and fitness initiatives, similar to Mars Balls Get Britain Playing and the Domino Health Challenge, as part of the 4 Life campaign. This campaign will continue in some form until the London 2012 Olympics. Additionally, Mars has partnered with Agricultural Research Service scientists and signed a cooperative research and development agreement worth $500,000 per year.

The aim of the text is to establish a globally coordinated cacao breeding research program managed by the USDA. Its objective is to develop a cocoa plant that is resistant to the escalating plant diseases endangering the cocoa bean plant. In recent years, Brazil has witnessed the devastating effects of witches' broom, a fungal disease that invades stem and fruit tissue, hindering pod formation and destroying mature pods. Similarly, Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica have been forced to abandon numerous cacao farms due to monilia pod rot, another fungal disease. Furthermore, West Africa's cacao production regions face potential significant losses as a result of a new variant of black pod disease.

The countries in West Africa have become the main source of cacao globally, supplying over half of the total supply. To ensure the sustainability of this valuable commodity, multiple countries in the region are collaborating to survey the genetic diversity of cacao, identify genes that can resist diseases, and develop new varieties that are disease-resistant. This initiative is crucial as other regions face threats to their cacao production due to

these diseases (Garcia, 2001).

In line with environmental sustainability efforts, Mars Incorporated is currently implementing measures to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from its factories and offices by 2040. Mars aims to achieve this goal through direct reduction in emissions without relying on carbon offsets and regardless of the company's growth. The company has already taken steps towards becoming more environmentally friendly.

The Mars plant in NJ includes an 18-acre solar garden and focuses on waste reduction. Any excess ingredients that cannot be reused are sent to animal food. Pacyniak (2011) discusses some elements of administrative law that could affect Mars' current and future initiatives, as well as their potential impact. The following administrative laws are pertinent to Mars' initiatives: the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), which will oversee Mars under Consumer Health and Safety regulations to ensure accurate labeling and consumer protection.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) play vital roles in this process. Currently, scientists are modifying seeds and promoting plant and seedling growth. This necessitates EPA regulation of pesticide residues in food. Adequate labeling is essential to address Product Liability for any alterations made to consumed items, as failure to do so may lead to legal action if harm arises. To guarantee adherence to regulations, environmentally conscious businesses should consult Environmental Law experts.

By developing an Environmental Compliance Program, Mars can ensure they are:

• Achieving and maintaining compliance
• Obtaining timely notice of new requirements
• Influencing future requirements
• Monitoring compliance accurately
• Timely and accurate reporting Responding to emergencies
• Maintaining community relations Mars should also plan
  

now for more stringent limits in the future (Bagley & Savage, 2010).

This now leads to recommendations for Mars to minimize the threat of lawsuits, privacy protection, product liability, or intellectual property rights. Upon the realization of Mars and the Agriculture Research Service scientists’ goal of developing their cocoa plant that is immune to disease, I would recommend patenting it. This allows them to reap the benefits of all the monies that were spent in discovering. It would also benefit them to ensure the wording on their future health brands is completely honest and forthcoming, i.

Mars has maintained an impeccable reputation by preventing advertising agencies from making unrealistic promises about their products. To date, Mars has always conducted their business with honesty and integrity.

The Lancet published a study in 2005, which can be found on page 608. The study has a DOI number of 10.

1016/SO140-6736(05)67114.

The websites usda.gov/is/AR/archive/aug01/cacao0801.htm and the Mars food website (2011) both provide valuable information on cacao, health, and nutrition. The Mars food website can be found at http://www.mars and was retrieved on December 5th, 2011.

Click here to visit

the Mars Food website
Health and nutrition-mars chocolate. (2011). Retrieved 5 December 2011, from http://www.mars.com.

com/global/about-mars/mars-pia/health-and-nutrition/mars-chocolate.aspx

176(10), 14-18. Take two?. (2006) Harvard Heart Letter, doi. 16(6), 6.