Mars Symbioscience Joined 1,000 of the Nation’s Leading Science & Technology Organizations at the 4th USA Science & Engineering Festival

Apr 28, 2016 6:25 PM ET

How does a bitter cocoa bean become a delicious cocoa powder or rich chocolate? What is the real story and science behind the headlines about cocoa and health? On April 16 and 17, Mars Symbioscience (MSS) answered these questions and more at the 4th USA Science & Engineering Festival (USASEF) Expo Mars Symbioscience booth at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington DC. What makes cocoa so special? Hint: it’s not just its taste.

MSS joined more than 1,000 of the nation’s leading science and engineering organizations exhibiting at the USASEF. The company is the Health and Life Sciences segment of Mars, Incorporated, a multinational company recently ranked on the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list. MSS scientists and representatives, armed with real cocoa pods, took attendees on a “tour” of the transformation process from cocoa tree to cocoa powder. Visitors had the opportunity to “picture” themselves as scientists at the booth’s selfie station, while learning about the latest MSS research on topics including cocoa flavanols, the beneficial plant-based nutrients found naturally in cocoa.  

“We are very excited to participate in this year’s Science & Engineering Festival,” said Frank Mars, President of Mars Symbioscience. “Mars is well known as a global food company, but less known is the company’s dedication to health and life sciences research. Mars has a long history of collaboration, working with internationally-recognized universities and scientists around the world to conduct innovative research that positively impacts people, pets and the planet and Symbioscience’s remit has been to translate this knowledge into practical consumer applications.”

The MSS booth also featured representatives from Mars Fishcare, a segment of Mars Petcare, and Mars Sustainable Solutions™. Visitors not only immersed themselves in cocoa and cocoa science; they also learned about Mars’ efforts in the area of marine science and underwater work to develop an effective method to rebuild damaged coral reefs. A live fish tank, a water testing station and a chance to see the tools that scientists are using to rebuild coral reefs around the globe were just a few of the interactive, multisensory elements that visitors found at booth 507.

For more information about USASEF, visit http://www.usasciencefestival.org/. For more information about Mars Symbioscience, visit www.marssymbioscience.com.