Cadbury lovers across Britain are expressing their frustration and disappointment after discovering that several of their favourite chocolate treats have quietly shrunk in size while maintaining their original price points.
The Shrinking Chocolate Bars
Multiple Cadbury products have fallen victim to what's become known as 'shrinkflation' - where manufacturers reduce product sizes rather than increasing prices. The iconic Dairy Milk bar has been reduced from its previous 110g size to just 90g, while still being sold at the same retail price of around £1.
Other affected products include:
- Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel bars - down from 120g to 95g
- Cadbury Dairy Milk Fruit & Nut - reduced from 120g to 95g
- Cadbury Dairy Milk Whole Nut - also cut from 120g to 95g
Consumer Backlash Grows
Shoppers have taken to social media to voice their displeasure, with many feeling betrayed by the beloved British brand. One disappointed customer remarked: "It's such a shame to see Cadbury reducing their bar sizes. The magic really is gone."
Another frustrated consumer noted: "The bars are looking smaller and smaller every time I buy one. At this rate, we'll be paying the same for a fun-sized bar soon."
Manufacturer's Response
Mondelez International, the parent company of Cadbury, has acknowledged the changes, citing rising production costs as the primary reason behind the size reductions. A company spokesperson explained that they face "increasing pressures from rising raw material costs and operational expenses".
The company stated: "We're facing the same challenges that so many other food manufacturers have reported, and like them, we have had to make the difficult decision to reduce the weight of some of our products for the first time since 2012."
The Bigger Picture
This move by Cadbury is part of a wider trend affecting the food industry, where manufacturers are grappling with soaring costs for ingredients, energy, and transportation. However, consumers are becoming increasingly savvy about these subtle changes and are pushing back against what many perceive as deceptive practices.
As one shopper perfectly summarised: "We'd rather pay more for the same size than feel like we're being tricked into buying less."
