Packaging rethink for Mars and Snickers after threats

Just as the Tylenol poisoning changed pharmaceutical packaging forever, the threat in Australia to Masterfoods is likely to cause safer packaging of chocolate bars in the wake of the current extortion bid involving Mars Bars and Snickers.

It is now 5 days since Masterfoods received a letter claiming that seven contaminated chocolate bars had been placed in stores across Sydney.

Masterfoods is still recalling chocolate bars across New South Wales and is still working on getting its message out to the thousands of store owners who still have not heard the news. The company has even placed ads in Sydney's major newspapers in order to get its message directly to the public and will not discus the potential cost of such a recall but is expected to run in the millions.

Masterfoods president Andrew Weston Webb said "Obviously the number of products runs into many thousands and that's why we're calling on the help of the community as well if they see any product out there if they could make sure it's taken off shelf".

Mr. Webb said "Packaging is a concern for the whole food industry to ensure we have tamper-evident packaging," Masterfoods president Andrew Weston Webb said.

When the dust settles, chocolate bars may soon be a little harder to open, and the cost of the packaging will certainly go up. For packaging designers opportunity is knocking at your door!