Inclusion of whey in Mars products

[cnc]

I've been informed by several vegetarians that several Mars products are no longer suitable for vegetarians as they now include non-vegetarian whey. From what I can gather these products didn't use to contain whey, and so are no longer suitable for dairy free people.

Products which may contain whey Derived from animal rennet:

Confectionery:
Chocolate- but that's off limit anyway!!

Ice Cream:
Also no good!!

Products Which Are Not Suitable for Vegetarians:
Confectionery
M&M’s ® All Varieties
Skittles ® Sours / Rainbow

These products remain Vegetarian
Aquadrops ®
Skittles Fruit ®
Starburst ® Sours/Fruits/Strawberry


I don't know if the final three were dairy free to begin with, but be careful what you buy:)

[Miles Schwartz]

All dark choclate is good for me has no milk or whey but best thing to do is read lables

[cnc]

I do read ALL the labels, but this was just a warning that products that were possibly safe previously may no longer be so. Don't want any of my fellow Dairy-freers to suffer unduly!!

[Miles Schwartz]

I agree with 5 minutes of pleasure not worth the stomach pain

[Copper]

Yes this is a good reminder to always check the labels. I do tend to assume that things are ok from week to week unless they say new recipe or improved!

Stomach pain is not good but feeling really sick for hours (all night for me so also no sleep) is much worse. I would never put myself through that on purpose. I would rather starve than risk that torture :)

[linny]

Thanks for that info Claire. I don't know about you but reading the labels on things like Starburst and Skittles is pretty difficult as it's SO small. I know I'm past 'that' age now but I'm sure that lists on labels are getting smaller (as well as Policeman getting younger! te he!). Just as well I have a 10 year old with youthful eyes:lol2: .

[HelenB]

Thanks Claire.
That's really useful information for me as I wouldn't have imagined that Skittles could possibly have contained whey. A useful lesson! I am unusual in that it is the whey rather than lactose that seems to do me in.

[HelenB]

OK - I've just read your mail properly and it's the Skittles sour not the Skittles - I still wouldn't have checked so thanks.

[yvie]

Helen if its the whey rather than lactose thats the problem for you then you prob are milk protein allergic rather than lactose intolerant which may open up a lot of food groups for you.

Not sure if I understood right so I apologise if I got it wrong :unsure:

As for ALL dark chocolate being milk free? hmmmmmm sure thats not quite right? Ive seen loads of dark chocolate bars with some milk derivitive in....I know its prob not hidden any more due to the new labelling laws but as it is not enforceable for a good while yet I wouldnt like to take the chance!

[Copper]

A good example is Bournville. It used to be ok for me when it was made in this country. It is now made in France and they use butter oil instead of vegetable fat. I liked that chocolate :mad:

I have found a number of plain chocolates that contain milk in some shape or form. Reading the labels is such hard work as the print is vey small.

[yvie]

Yes Copper, similarly after eights? made abroad they have milk protein in....and yes I struggle too with small writing, even worse, yellow writing on white background! who on earth as a printer/editor/manager in charge of labelling etc thinks this can be a good idea?

I appear to be ranting a lot this week :lol2: I think I may have done rather too much recently and need to catch up on some sleep!

[cnc]

Does the difference have anything to do with the fact that Miles is in America perhaps??

Bourneville recently brought out an 'extra dark' chocolate, I've not bothered to look at the label but wondered if anyone here knew if it was DairyFree. It's only about 60% cocoa so I'd guess not, but you never know.

[Copper]

Miles is spoilt in America - I hope he realises that :)

Yes, I have checked that out Claire and it is not for us. I can't remember what was in it but some dairy product or other

[HelenB]

Great news.
After large numbers of complaints from consumers Mars is now no longer going to change to using animal rennet in its products.
It will still be worth checking ingredients to see if anything else changes though,
Helen

[cnc]

I bet they still opt to use whey though, which means I can still only have normal skittles. Oh well.

[Helen01]

They are not gluten-free any more either, probably best to give them a wide berth. Horrible sickly things!

[linny]

Thanks Helen B! I'll have to get a magnifying glass though!

[Copper]

Mars bars and similar contain dairy anyway so off limits for me :(

[Carol-Ann]

Hellow everone,

Still trying to be dairy free its been three weeks now, i think, been doing ok but have eaten chocolate fingers by mistake.

I just put them out for the family and walked over and picked one up and nibble it while i was putiing on the kettle and getting tea bags I had eaten five..... Could not believe it!
No Idea How Much Whey & Lactose was in it but I Know My tum swoll so big I thought I might burst.
I got a memory like a fish.
Carol-Ann

[Miles Schwartz]

Hi All Miles(from spoilt in USA)
If there is a Trader Joes in your area you too can be spoiled. Any good Food store should have cheese aged over 1 year . Natural Food stores might have a store in your area another good source. Don't know what to say but we have it here in St. Louis, MO.
I also buy a product called better than real chream cheese and soy Ice desert ice cream. I also get pizza places to use my aged cheese and also mexican and itilian resturants to use my cheese which broadens my menu. Hope this helps.
Miles

[jill]

Hi again Miles, its good to hear what is available in the US if you are considering taking a holiday there. I quite like pizzas without the cheese now, I think you get a better taste of the other ingredients.