A Scottish chip shop in Aberdeenshire claims to have been the originator of the unusual recipe.

But a Mars spokesman has confirmed that the chocolate firm “wouldn’t be able to support [the endorsement] as deep-frying one of our products would go against our commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles.”

Stonehaven’s Carron Fish Bar say they originated the fried chocolate treat almost twenty years ago. The treat quickly became the stuff of legend and rumour.

Mars say as yet there’s been “no application for a protected geographical indication has been filed to date.”

The Scottish chippy will now not be able to apply for protected status like the Cornish pasty or Greek Feta Cheese.

The deep fried chocolate, nougat and caramel concoction even got a mention on US TV, getting a mention on the Jay Leno Show in the mid-noughties.

Recently other Scottish restaurants have attempted their own reckless concoctions with reports of deep-fried Cadbury’s Creme Eggs for Easter, as well as the truly terrifying Braveheart Butter Bomb. The Edinburgh phenomenon combines fried balls of butter with an Irn Bru batter.

In the BBC video below, chef Raymond Blanc bravely samples the culinary fried delicacy…

Main image: Deep fried Mars via Ashley Harris on Instagram