The Decline of Cadburys: How Mondelez International's Takeover Diminished the Quality of UK Favorites

For many Britons, Cadburys chocolate has been an integral part of their childhood and a beloved staple in their daily lives. However, the recent takeover by Mondelez International, previously known as Kraft, has significantly impacted the quality and size of these iconic sweets. This article explores the changes and challenges faced by Cadburys as a result of this corporate shift.

The Hostile Takeover and Changing Ingredients

Several years ago, Cadburys, a British chocolate brand renowned for its high-quality products, fell prey to a hostile takeover by Mondelez International, an American company. Since then, these once beloved sweets have undergone a transformation that has left both consumers and chocolate enthusiasts disqualified. One of the most noticeable changes is the use of cheaper ingredients, resulting in a decline in taste that has disappointed many traditional Cadburys fans. Additionally, the company has reduced the amount of full cream milk in their chocolate, which is a core ingredient in their famed product.

Reduced Sizes with Unchanged Prices

In an effort to mitigate rising production costs, Cadburys has recently decreased the size of its family-size Dairy Milk bars by 10%. From 200g to 180g, the change continues a trend of reducing product sizes while maintaining the same price. This move coincides with the UK facing one of the most severe cost of living emergencies in 30 years. Rising energy costs, fuel bills, and food prices have put pressure on manufacturers like Cadburys to adjust their products.

The latest reduction in size comes after Cadbury previously contracted a Dairy Milk bar from 49g to 45g while maintaining the same price in 2012. A year before that, they reduced the 140g bar to 120g. These changes reflect the ongoing pressure faced by manufacturers to counteract increasing costs, which are driven by inflation rates. In many other sectors, similar reductions in product size have been observed, ranging from Walkers multipacks to Persil powder and even mozzarella cheese from Tesco.

The Impact on Confectionery Lovers

For confectionery enthusiasts, such changes are especially noticeable around festive occasions. As makers look for ways to introduce their products, they must also balance rising costs with maintaining the expected quality and size. In previous years, Cadburys and other confectionary companies have had to reduce the number of confections customers receive for the same price. The trend of smaller, cheaper portions has been a common strategy to counteract the financial strain on consumers.

The use of cheaper ingredients and reduction in product size is a global trend. According to the Office for National Statistics, over 600 items shrank in size between September 2015 and June 2017, with most of these being food items. Consumers, particularly those in the UK, face the reality of paying more for less quality in their favorite treats.

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