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Deep-fried Mars bars disowned by chocolate firm | Deep-fried Mars bars disowned by chocolate firm |
(35 minutes later) | |
Chocolate manufacturing giant Mars has distanced itself from the famous deep-fried Mars bar by seeking a disclaimer. | Chocolate manufacturing giant Mars has distanced itself from the famous deep-fried Mars bar by seeking a disclaimer. |
The Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, in Aberdeenshire, claims to be the birthplace of the recipe almost two decades ago. | The Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, in Aberdeenshire, claims to be the birthplace of the recipe almost two decades ago. |
Plans to bid for EU protected geographical status were dropped. | Plans to bid for EU protected geographical status were dropped. |
Mars has written to the owners saying the product is not authorised or endorsed as it does not fit the company's promotion of healthy living. | Mars has written to the owners saying the product is not authorised or endorsed as it does not fit the company's promotion of healthy living. |
A menu disclaimer is being sought, to make people aware deep-frying is not what the company has in mind for its product. | |
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. | 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. |
"No application for a protected geographical indication has been filed to date. | "No application for a protected geographical indication has been filed to date. |
"Should an application be filed, unfortunately, we wouldn't be able to support it as deep-frying one of our products would go against our commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles." | "Should an application be filed, unfortunately, we wouldn't be able to support it as deep-frying one of our products would go against our commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles." |
'Craziest takeaway' | 'Craziest takeaway' |
Lorraine Watson from the Carron Fish Bar told BBC Scotland she had written to Mars to say she was happy to put up a "disclaimer" notice in the shop. | |
Mark Cruickshank, a senior solicitor with Brodies intellectual property department, told BBC Scotland: "I suspect Mars is concerned that the deep-frying of its products is not in line with its policy of promoting a healthy lifestyle and it is keen to take steps to protect its own brand." | |
He said Mars would have been aware that they should not be "too heavy-handed" and risk a backlash against their product in Scotland. | |
Mr Cruickshank said: "In the letter they have asked for a disclaimer to be put on the menu and on the fish shop wall. | |
"It seems that Mrs Watson is happy to do that and it seems the parties have reached a good compromise here." | |
The deep-fried Mars bar has become synonymous with negative aspects of the Scottish diet since it was first reported in the Daily Record in 1995. | The deep-fried Mars bar has become synonymous with negative aspects of the Scottish diet since it was first reported in the Daily Record in 1995. |
The newspaper called the phenomenon, with its links to Stonehaven, "Scotland's craziest takeaway" and said "sweet-toothed youngsters are ordering their favourite choc bars deep-fried in batter". | The newspaper called the phenomenon, with its links to Stonehaven, "Scotland's craziest takeaway" and said "sweet-toothed youngsters are ordering their favourite choc bars deep-fried in batter". |
By 2004, the reputation of the deep-fried Mars bar had travelled the Atlantic and it was mentioned on the Jay Leno Show in the US. | By 2004, the reputation of the deep-fried Mars bar had travelled the Atlantic and it was mentioned on the Jay Leno Show in the US. |
Later that year, UK medical magazine The Lancet published research from two Glasgow-based public health experts who thought the craze could be an urban myth as they had never met anyone who had eaten one. | Later that year, UK medical magazine The Lancet published research from two Glasgow-based public health experts who thought the craze could be an urban myth as they had never met anyone who had eaten one. |
They surveyed hundreds of fish and chip shops in Scotland to find out if "the delicacy" was available and if people were actually buying them. | They surveyed hundreds of fish and chip shops in Scotland to find out if "the delicacy" was available and if people were actually buying them. |
It found 66 shops which sold them, 22% of those who had answered the survey. | It found 66 shops which sold them, 22% of those who had answered the survey. |