Compensation Awarded After Discovery of Unrippled Mars Bar

Harry Seager, who discovered a Mars bar lacking its characteristic ripple pattern, sparking significant online discussion, has been awarded £2 in compensation. A photograph of the chocolate bar, shared by Mr. Seager, attracted considerable attention from thousands of individuals on the Dull Men’s Club Facebook group, where one member described it as “hideous.” The 34-year-old stated that although Mars Wrigley UK did not provide an explanation for the defect, participants in the online group suggested the bar had not undergone the air-blowing process. Earlier in the current month, Mars Wrigley UK indicated that the bar “slipped” past its quality control during production and affirmed that the distinctive swirl design would remain a feature of its products. Mr. Seager, a resident of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, purchased the chocolate bar at a service station located in Thame, Oxfordshire, while traveling with companions to a classic car exhibition in Birmingham. He explained, “The only reason I emailed [Mars] was because I was interested in what might have caused it to happen. That is all I wanted to know and they kept side-lining that question.” Regarding the compensation, he commented, “I think £2 is great, it will be two free Mars bars. Maybe they could have sent me more but I’m not being ungrateful. I think it’s amazing after everything that’s happened that I got the £2 voucher.” The initial production of Mars bars occurred manually in Slough, Berkshire, in 1932, and manufacturing continues in that same town today. Mr. Seager recounted, “A few people who used to work at Mars’ factories commented [on Facebook] and they said it goes through a machine called an enrober, which is like the waterfall the bars go through.” He continued, “Apparently they get blown with air along the top as it comes out of that waterfall. Apparently there’s meant to be somebody at the end who removes the ones which haven’t been hit by the air.“ He speculated, “I don’t know what happens to them then. I suppose they got put into products that have Mars bars in, like cakes and things.” Regarding his preferences for other confectionery items, Harry generally likes most chocolate bars but does not favor all types of sweet treats. He further elaborated, “I don’t like the strawberry and orange cremes in a box of Roses or a box of Quality Street but I do like the coffee ones. I remember they took the coffee ones out a very long time ago but as a kid I remember them.” These specific Quality Street Coffee Cremes are exclusively offered at John Lewis and Waitrose during the upcoming Christmas season. For updates, BBC Berkshire can be followed on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.