Nestlé has confirmed it is changing the classic KitKat recipe across Europe, introducing two major differences: a crunchier texture and a more distinct hazelnut flavour. The announcement was made at the company's annual event on Tuesday in Vevey, Switzerland, by KitKat's global brand manager, Rouven Lochmuller. He stated, 'We won’t reduce the cocoa share but we will add a “third level” to KitKat, that gives a more complex level of taste.' The recipe change is scheduled for September 2027 and will roll out across Europe, including countries such as France, Germany, and Austria.
UK KitKat Fans Rejoice: British Recipe Stays the Same
Importantly, UK customers will not notice any difference, as the tweaks are not being made in Britain. Liberato Milo, Nestlé’s head of confectionery and snacking, confirmed to Metro that UK KitKats will remain the same, saying: 'For UK consumers, nothing will change as British tastes run more to burned caramel, and the recipe is already perfect.' The British KitKat is manufactured in York by Nestlé, while in the US, Hershey is responsible for the recipe and has previously confirmed it would switch things up to create a 'creamier taste and texture' next year.
Consumer Reaction to the Change
While Nestlé aims to attract new customers with the updated recipe, not everyone is pleased. On Instagram, @leadgen commented: 'Changing a product that billions of people already love to attract people who do not love it yet is the kind of logic that has ended more brands than bad products ever did.' Similarly, @methanweber shared: 'KitKat was good growing up. It’s totally different now and tastes like artificial nonsense in the US…last summer I tried KitKat in Canada, and it tasted way better than the US version.' Other users expressed concerns about allergens, with @filomenalodico asking: 'What about people who are allergic to hazelnuts? Why are we always left out?'
Background: Nestlé's Other Recipe Changes
This change follows adjustments to two other Nestlé products, Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband bars, which were reformulated as a cost-saving measure. The reformulation reduced cocoa mass in favour of a higher ratio of vegetable fats, meaning the bars no longer meet the UK legal threshold of 20% cocoa and 20% milk to be called milk chocolate. Consequently, their packaging now describes them as 'encased in a smooth milk chocolate flavour coating' rather than 'milk chocolate'. Nestlé is not alone in facing scrutiny; Cadbury fans have also speculated about a reduction in quality, though a spokesperson from parent company Mondelēz International told Metro: 'Our chocolate meets all relevant standards required by UK and EU legislation.'
