Mars Snackfood U.S. ISSUES ALLERGY ALERT ON UNDECLARED PEANUTS In Dove Caramel Pecan Perfection Ice Cream

North America |  26 October 2009 

Hackettstown, NJ -- Today, Mars Snackfood US announced a voluntary recall of its Dove® Caramel Pecan Perfection ice cream with the lot number 931AB5YN07 because it may contain undeclared peanuts. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. No related illnesses have been reported to date. For consumers who do not suffer from a peanut allergy or sensitivity, this product is safe to eat. The lot number is found on the bottom of the containers.

This voluntary recall is limited to this specific lot number (931AB5YN07) and was distributed only in the United States, and specifically to the following states: AL, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, NC, OH, OR, TX, UT, WA and WI.

Dove® Caramel Pecan Perfection is sold in a brown and gold 15.10 fl. oz. pint container and pictures a ribbon of caramel, pecans and a square of Dove® Brand Chocolate on the front.

The voluntary recall was initiated after Dove® Caramel Pecan Perfection containing peanuts in lot number 931AB5YN07 was discovered. Mars Snackfood US was able to quickly confirm that only this lot is affected and, out of an abundance of caution, issued a voluntary recall for potentially affected containers of the ice cream.

Mars Snackfood US will work with retail customers to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. In the event that consumers believe they have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, they should return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund. Consumers with questions may call our toll-free number: 800-551-0895 between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Monday – Friday.

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About Mars Snackfood US:

Headquartered in Hackettstown, NJ, Mars Snackfood US is the United States snack operations of Mars, Incorporated. Mars, Incorporated is a private, family-owned company founded in 1911 and employing more than 65,000 associates at over 230 sites, including 135 factories, in 68 countries worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, U.S.A., Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest food companies, generating global revenues of more than $30 billion annually and operating in six business segments: Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley Gum and Confections, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience. These segments produce some of the world’s leading brands: Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR® and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – WISDOM PANELTM MX, SERAMIS®, and COCOAPROTM