Candy mega-company Mars, Incorporated wants you to know that it does not approve of the deep-fried Mars bar made world famous by, among other things, the U.S.'s greasy state fair circuit.
*Scroll down for update.*
But the fatty treat has origins on the other side of the Atlantic. The Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, claims to have invented deep-fried Mars bars about 20 years ago.
Now, the BBC writes that Mars, Inc. has written the bar's owners saying it does not authorize or endorse the treat, which clashes with the company's dedication to healthy living. Mars, Inc. is seeking a disclaimer for Carron Fish Bar's menu. But the company isn't entirely unhappy about the deep-fried Mars bar's popularity:
A Mars spokesperson said: "We are really flattered that customers of Carron Fish Bar like our product so much that it has now become a flagship product for the store.
The Daily Record spoke with bar owner Lorraine Watson, who said she was floored when she received a lawyer's notice about Mars, Inc.'s disclaimer demand:
“I was amazed when I got the lawyer’s letter because I really feel they are giving me a slap on the wrist. I think it’s sad that it’s come to this but I am quite happy to put a disclaimer up because my intention was not to offend the Mars bar product.”
Carron Fish Bar sells between 100 and 150 deep-fried Mars bars every week.
UPDATE: Mars Inc. has flip-flopped on its fried Mars bar stance, telling BBC Radio Five that it's "very proud" of the dessert. The company, however, does not have any plans to officially endorse it.
Mars Chocolate U.K. president Fiona Dawson explained that the company's actions were not maliciously intended:
“This was simply an issue around a patent of origin –- it's a complicated area of intellectual property rights to be honest -- but anything that supports local businesses, local industry and frankly ingenuity has got to be celebrated as well.”
Related
Before You Go
