A court ruling in Germany has sided with critics who accused Cadbury of deceiving customers through a practice known as “shrinkflation.” The court found that Cadbury reduced the weight of its Milka classic chocolate bar from 100g to 90g while keeping the packaging unchanged. Despite the bar being slightly thinner, the price was raised from €1.49 to €1.99 at the beginning of 2025.
The case, brought by Hamburg’s consumer protection office, alleged that the US company Mondelez, the owner of Cadbury, misled consumers by altering the chocolate bar’s weight without making significant changes to its packaging. Mondelez defended itself by stating that it had informed German consumers about the changes through its website and social media platforms. However, the court ruled that a clear notice should have been included on the packaging to avoid confusion.
Mondelez is considering the court’s decision and has the option to appeal within a month. The company emphasized its commitment to transparent communication with its customers. The ruling’s broader implications remain uncertain, but it reflects growing consumer discontent over shrinkflation, where companies reduce product sizes while maintaining prices.
In a similar case, Mars Wrigley faced criticism for downsizing Mars bars by nearly a quarter without adjusting prices. Manufacturers attribute these changes to rising costs, including cocoa prices. Consumer group Which? has highlighted the trend of shrinkflation, pointing out reductions in various products, such as toothpaste and heartburn medicine.
Shoppers have noticed shrinkflation in supermarkets, with examples including Aquafresh toothpaste and Gaviscon liquid. These instances have led to price increases per unit volume, prompting concerns among consumers. The practice of shrinkflation continues to draw attention as consumers scrutinize product sizes and prices.