Mum fuming after Mars ‘refuses’ to reveal Galaxy’s ‘secret ingredient’ that could cause her son deadly reaction
A MUM has slammed Galaxy owner Mars claiming the company refused to confirm if the chocolate contains an ingredient that her tot has a life-threatening allergy to - for 'fear she will steal their recipe'.
Kayleigh Alden-Hollinsworth emailed the brand last week to ask whether four-year-old Rocco Baxendale, who is allergic to coconut, was able to have Galaxy Smooth Milk Chocolate Bars.
The tot, who was previously blue-lighted to A&E as a toddler due to his allergies, can't enjoy the majority of chocolate treats as they tend to include two ingredients he's allergic to - tree nuts and coconut.
While examined the packaging, the mum-of-three was concerned by the ingredients list on the wrapper declaring the presence of 'vegetable' fat - but it didn't state whether the fat is made with coconut.
After contacting the confectionery giant, a Mars Wrigley consumer care worker replied stating they "highlight allergens in bold front within our ingredients list on the back of the pack".
But Kayleigh was furious when the brand said they were "unable to provide a complete breakdown of the ingredients in this product as it's confidential and not our policy to give out sensitive recipe information".
The concerned 35-year-old claims Mars Wrigley appeared "suspicious she'll steal their recipe" when she simply wanted to double-check if the bar is safe for treat-loving Rocco to try.
Kayleigh slammed their position as 'dangerous' for leaving her guessing, describing their stance as encouraging 'Russian roulette' with her son's health - as he is also allergic to eggs, haricot beans and lentils.
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After being approached for a comment, Mars Wrigley said being transparent with consumers is 'really important' to them and that their packaging does always contain a full list of ingredients.
They confirmed the product doesn't contain coconut and apologised for the 'confusion' caused by their initial response to Kayleigh.
Kayleigh, from Felixstowe, Suffolk, said: "Refusing to confirm ingredients is playing Russian roulette with people like Rocco's lives.
"All I need to know is whether the vegetable oil has coconut in it. I don't need a whole breakdown of how they make it.
"It's a shame they've acted so suspiciously about it.
"I think it's something like KFC where they have their special ingredients, it seems like they're trying to stop me from stealing their recipe.
"For me, [the response] isn’t good enough. All I want to know is whether they use coconut, yes or no.
"I'm annoyed that it means there is something else my child can't try in case it causes him serious harm.
"Rocco is now at an age where he sees his friends eating cakes, getting ice cream, eating fish and chips and these are all things he can't do.
"He's nearly five and he's getting to the point where he's asking for things and I'm telling him he can't.
"There are no big bars of chocolate or big Easter eggs for him to enjoy like his friends.
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"He knows he has safe things he can have, but it's very limited and that's why it'd be good to find out if he can have Galaxy and then that's an extra thing he can have.
"Many people don't understand allergies and think it just means a tummy ache, but this is life threatening for him.
"I have contacted other companies in the same way and they have gone above and beyond to help with information, especially small companies."
Galaxy's website proudly boasts 'from our ingredients to our ethics, we love to answer your questions about Galaxy products'.
But Kayleigh claims this isn't the case and insists other companies have contacted their factories to confirm whether their products are suitable for Rocco rather than reject her request.
The childcare worker, who lives with partner Shane Baxendale and one-year-old twins Nellie and Esmae Baxendale, admits she constantly worries about her son's extensive allergy list.
Rocco's favourite treats are Nestle's Smarties and Milkybars, but he's unable to eat the company's Easter eggs or Christmas advent calendars as they're made in factories which could contain his allergens.
Kayleigh posted Mars' response on Facebook where users were baffled by their secrecy.
The post reads: "I'm really shocked by the response from Mars. [...] I now cannot let my son try Galaxy as we have no idea if the vegetable fat is coconut."
One allergy sufferer commented: "Wow, that is absolutely maddening. What an appalling response. I would escalate that."
Another wrote: "The law needs to change on this. The majority of my allergies are not in the top 14.
"I cook all my own food now, because it is far too regular for me to react to something that’s in the ‘flavouring’, ‘spices’ or ‘vegetable oil’ listing but not actually named."
A fellow mum commented: "My six-year-old is allergic to ginger. It’s so tricky navigating ingredients labels as it’s not top 14 and often included under ‘spices’ or ‘flavourings’.
"Some companies are helpful when I ask for more detailed info, some aren’t, but unfortunately they are not breaking any laws."
Natasha's Law was introduced after 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died following a severe allergic reaction to sesame seeds baked inside her sandwich's bread.
Refusing to confirm ingredients is playing Russian roulette with people like Rocco's lives
Kayleigh Alden-Hollinsworth
When journalists contacted Mars Wrigley for comment they apologised for any confusion caused and confirmed that coconut isn't currently an ingredient in any Galaxy Smooth Milk chocolates.
A Mars Wrigley UK spokesperson said: "Being transparent with our consumers is really important to us at Mars Wrigley, which is why people will always be able to find the full list of ingredients on the packaging of our products, this includes the vegetable origin of any vegetable fats used.
"When contacted about allergen information we do always ask people to check the back of pack for the most up to date information because we think it’s the responsible thing to do – but we are sorry for any confusion caused in this instance.
"We will of course be contacting Kayleigh directly to reassure her that coconut isn't currently an ingredient used in our Galaxy Smooth Milk treats."
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirmed that all prepacked foods must be labelled with a full ingredients list, with the 14 major allergens emphasised.
They stated that vegetable oils and fats can be referred to generically, as the exact composition can vary depending on availability.
However, the constituents that form the vegetable oil or fat (such as rapeseed, soya, sunflower, maize, coconut or palm oils) must be specified within the ingredients label.
This is a requirement of the retained EU regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers.
FSA Food Hypersensitivity Team Leader, Arvind Thandi, said: "Businesses have a duty to ensure their food is safe, so we would expect them to answer questions from consumers who need to know if an ingredient is used in their products."
Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, co-founder of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, said: "This is a very alarming story and we share Kayleigh’s concerns.
"Given the huge increase in children hospitalised with severe allergic reactions, it is essential that families know what is in the food they eat.
"Yet here we have a company hiding behind a veil to keep its recipes secret instead of appreciating this could be a life or death issue for someone living with allergic disease.
"Kayleigh has not even asked for the recipe. She has simply asked to know whether the chocolate bar contains coconut to which her son is severely allergic.
"The safety and inclusion of customers has to be more important than archaic claims of secret recipes.
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"Food companies need to step up to the mark and lead on the safety of their own products. That means full ingredient labelling."
Fabulous Digital has contacted Mars Wrigley for a comment.
MARS' ORIGINAL RESPONSE TO KAYLEIGH
"Hi Kayleigh, Thank you for contacting us about Galaxy. We appreciate you taking time to let us know regarding your concern about the vegetable fats content of the product.
"In line with the latest European Food Safety regulations, we highlight allergens in bold font within our ingredients list on the back of the pack.
"Allergen advisory and precautionary labelling are also being practiced by Mars Inc. through the use of a "may contain/may be present" statement.
"We're unable to provide you with a complete breakdown of the ingredients in this product as it's confidential and not our policy to give out sensitive recipe information.
"Ingredients and recipes can change, therefore we refer to the ingredient statement on the package that would provide the most accurate, up-to-date, and detailed information available about that product.
"If the recipe contains the 14 allergens? we legally have to declare. We hope this information helps. Have a great day!"