Candy giant Mars to expand healthier Kind bars offerings

Candy giant Mars is buying Kind North America to expand into healthier snacks such as nut bars and granola.

Though sales of sweets have grown during the pandemic, there are signs that consumer interest will increase in healthy foods.

Mars, which sells candies like M&M's, Snickers, and Twix, doesn't have much to offer on that front.

According to Nicholas Fereday, senior analyst of consumer foods at Rabobanks, the interest in food as medicine grows even louder during the pandemic.

Mars bought a minority stake in Kind in 2017, giving it control of Kind International and helping grow the business outside of the US and Canada.

With Mars' initial investment, Kind products reached over 35 countries and launched new products, like refrigerated nut butter protein bars and dark chocolate bark.

Kind's founder and executive chairman Daniel Lubetzky will retain a financial stake in the company while playing a key role in the brand's future development and expansion.

Mars has a large portfolio that includes pet food brands Pedigree and Whiskas and healthcare for pets through pet hospitals.