Uncle Ben's, Dolmio's Straight-Up Tells Customers To Not Eat Their Products Regularly

Is Mars perhaps being a little too honest with its customers? The food giant, which owns companies like Uncle Ben's and Dolmio's has admitted to British customers that they should not consume their products too often. Mars UK will now be labeling its products that are higher in fat, salt, and sugar as "occasional" foods, including both brands' pasta sauces.

As part of a new health initiative, Mars will be advising customers to eat Dolmio lasagna sauces, pesto, and carbonara and macaroni oven kits, and Uncle Ben's oriental sauces once a week or less. Mars chocolates and confectionary products will not be part of the initiative.

A spokeswoman for Mars told BBC that the extra sugar and high-fat ingredients are added to the sauces to increase "authenticity" and advises customers to instead try to make their own versions of the products using the ingredients listed on the package as a healthier substitute.

"Our nutrition criteria sets a very high standard for our products, and we also want to help our consumers understand the difference between 'everyday' and 'occasional' products within a balanced diet," Fiona Dawson, global president of Mars food, drinks, and multisales told The Independent.