HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Jun 30, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mars, Incorporated announces the launch of a new business unit, called Mars Nutrition for Health & Well-Being, which will develop and launch new foods, snacks, beverages and lifestyle support to better serve the nutritional and well-being needs of the consumer.

"Our unit's mission is to be a trusted partner in healthy lifestyles, enabling consumers to look, perform and feel their best everyday," said Michael Mars, President of the new Mars Nutrition for Health & Well-Being business unit. "We will bring great taste to products that are designed to provide real health benefits supported by sound nutrition science."

Foods in the nutrition and health category are growing at an impressive rate, and are anticipated to continue to grow for years to come. Moving into the health and nutrition area is consistent with Mars continuing portfolio diversification, starting with its early roots in chocolate and expanding into savory snacks, petfood, main meal and beverages.

"There's more to Mars than most people think," explains Bob Gamgort, President of the North American division of Mars, Incorporated. "We place a high value on sound scientific research and are fulfilling a decades-long plan to which we have devoted significant investment with regard to exploring the healthy aspects of cocoa. This plan starts to roll out now with the expansion of our portfolio to meet consumers' need for health and nutrition."

Mars has pioneered scientific research over the last fifteen years in partnership with some of the world's most respected universities into the health benefits of cocoa and the cocoa flavanols that provide the essence of those benefits. We will continue to follow this science in the development of new ventures, new products and new partnerships for Mars, Incorporated.

The Mars Nutrition for Health & Well-Being business unit has already launched its first great tasting snack called CocoaVia(TM), available online at www.cocoavia.com. With 80 calories per serving and a nutrition profile that includes heart healthy ingredients, vitamins and minerals with a premium chocolate, rich in the flavanols preserved by our special process, it is the only global brand purposely designed to deliver both chocolate pleasure and real heart health benefits. CocoaVia(TM) will be followed by a number of food solutions targeting a variety of nutritional needs and benefits in the months to come.

Mars, Incorporated, is a privately-held company that produces some of the world's leading confectionery, food, petcare, beverage, electronics products, and now health food, and operates in more than 65 countries. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Mars, Incorporated employs more than 7,000 associates in the United States and 39,000 associates worldwide with 15 manufacturing facilities nationally and more than 100 manufacturing facilities globally. The company's global sales exceed $18 billion annually.