Cadbury axes popular chocolate bar from treat bags leaving shoppers fuming

Fans of the family packs of Cadbury's chocolate say the size of the bags has shrunk as well as being missing one of the long-standing varieties

Chocolate fans have been let fuming after Cadbury cut the size of its treat bags - and axed one of the popular varieties. The bags of 14 mini bars have for many years included Flake, Chomp, Fudge, Twirl, Crunchie, and Curlywurly.

However while the new packs still contain 14 mini bars they now weigh 207g compared to 216g in previous years. They still cost the same - retailing at around £3.

But the latest bags, out in time for Halloween, also no longer feature Crunchie bars. And the move has left many customers unhappy with some complaining the new selection was "awful value."

One review, posted on the Asda site in September said: "Used to be good but no Crunchie in them less Flakes and Twirls and filled up with small Fudge and Chomp. Won’t be buying any more."

Another wrote: "No Crunchie at all. Honestly not worth it considering eight pieces were Chomp and Fudge. Awful value," reports The Sun.

Another fan on X said: "They have replaced the Crunchie with a Flake in the @CadburyUK mini packs. Frankly, am furious about it."

Susannah Streeter, of investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said chocolate makers were struggling due to the price of cocoa. She added: “Soaring cocoa prices are threatening the profits of the big confectioners.

"Companies are trying to find ways to protect margins, and it seems consumers are being faced with another round of shrinkflation on some products. Although wholesale cocoa prices have come down from the record levels in April, helped by better weather in key producing countries in Africa, they are still more than double the level of this time last year.

"It doesn’t look like the price pressures will ease significantly any time soon. The world’s largest producer, Ivory Coast, has set the purchase price of cocoa from its farmers, at a record level.

“Consumers have already had to swallow some bitter price hikes and sales are now significantly below other snack categories, which is forcing companies to look at other ways of absorbing increased costs. Chocolate lovers may have to be prepared for further sleights of hand, as we head towards key events like Halloween or Christmas.’’