FARE Responds to Mars, Inc., and Snickers' "Hungry Skies" Campaign
Mars, Inc., and Snickers' new "Hungry Skies" campaign is not just insensitive; it's dangerous! Encouraging people to eat Snickers on planes completely disregards those with severe peanut allergies. There is no emergency room at 36 thousand feet.
Why We’re Boycotting
In the last several weeks, food allergy nonprofit, FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), has reached out to Mars, Inc., to communicate its concerns about the 2024-2025 “Hungry Skies” campaign. The campaign is aimed at popularizing Snickers, and therefore peanuts, on planes—an environment that is unique, and represents a tinderbox of circumstances that could potentially endanger the life of a peanut allergy patient.
FARE met with the Mars, Inc., communications team and was informed that the campaign will proceed, with the addition of a note on the website advising passengers to follow flight attendants’ direction if a person with peanut allergies is on board.
FARE remains deeply concerned about the potential increased risk posed by this campaign and formally requests a meeting with Mars, Inc., leadership to discuss these concerns further. Together we hope to find a way forward that communicates the joy that a candy bar represents without compromising the safety of peanut food allergy patients.
2.9 million passengers board flights daily in the U.S. We all just want to feel safe, and welcome.
Until Mars, Inc., withdraws this campaign, please tell your family and friends: we’re boycotting their products. Mars brands also include M&M, Snickers, Twix bars, and Skittles. Their pet products include Whiskas, Royal Canin, Cesar, and Pedigree—if we can't trust Mars, Inc., to keep us safe, why should we trust them with the health of our pets?—and veterinary services including Banfield, VCA Animal Hospitals, and BluePearl.
- Read the Allergic Living coverage.
- Read the Healio coverage.
- Read the Salon.com coverage.
- Read the Snack Safely coverage.
Trigger warning: audio depicts medical distress.
