Nestlé's Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband Bars Now Officially 'Milk Chocolate Coated', Despite Being Made With Fewer Cocoa Solids.
In a move attributed to increasing ingredient costs, Swiss conglomerate Nestlé has rebranded its popular Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband bars as 'milk chocolate coated' despite containing fewer cocoa solids than required by the UK's strict milk chocolate standards. The change was made after the company shifted from using more expensive milk chocolate to a cheaper vegetable fat substitute in an effort to curb rising costs.
Under new regulations, any product in the UK must contain at least 20% cocoa solids and 20% milk solids to be classified as milk chocolate. However, Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband bars now fall short of this threshold due to their increased reliance on vegetable fat. As a result, Nestlé has begun describing the treats as being 'encased in a smooth milk chocolate flavour coating' - a move that may raise eyebrows among consumers who have grown accustomed to the traditional label.
The decision comes amid sharply rising cocoa prices driven by poor harvests in key producing regions and extreme weather conditions exacerbated by climate change. In October, another major confectionery manufacturer, McVitie's, was forced to pare back the amount of cocoa used in its recipes due to soaring costs. Chocolate prices in Britain have skyrocketed 18.4% over the past year, according to Worldpanel analysts.
Despite the changes, Nestlé assures consumers that the reformulation process was 'carefully developed and sensory tested' and that no plans are being made to alter recipes of other chocolate products. The company's spokesperson cited rising ingredient costs as a major factor in the decision, stating that they were 'absorbing increasing costs where possible'.
In a move attributed to increasing ingredient costs, Swiss conglomerate Nestlé has rebranded its popular Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband bars as 'milk chocolate coated' despite containing fewer cocoa solids than required by the UK's strict milk chocolate standards. The change was made after the company shifted from using more expensive milk chocolate to a cheaper vegetable fat substitute in an effort to curb rising costs.
Under new regulations, any product in the UK must contain at least 20% cocoa solids and 20% milk solids to be classified as milk chocolate. However, Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband bars now fall short of this threshold due to their increased reliance on vegetable fat. As a result, Nestlé has begun describing the treats as being 'encased in a smooth milk chocolate flavour coating' - a move that may raise eyebrows among consumers who have grown accustomed to the traditional label.
The decision comes amid sharply rising cocoa prices driven by poor harvests in key producing regions and extreme weather conditions exacerbated by climate change. In October, another major confectionery manufacturer, McVitie's, was forced to pare back the amount of cocoa used in its recipes due to soaring costs. Chocolate prices in Britain have skyrocketed 18.4% over the past year, according to Worldpanel analysts.
Despite the changes, Nestlé assures consumers that the reformulation process was 'carefully developed and sensory tested' and that no plans are being made to alter recipes of other chocolate products. The company's spokesperson cited rising ingredient costs as a major factor in the decision, stating that they were 'absorbing increasing costs where possible'.
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and theyre just savin cost now? like, what happens if ppl find out theyre really usin veg fat instead of real cocoa solids? 
And now the price of chocolate has gone up so much that even McVitie's is like "peace out, I'm reducing my cocoa content" 
. Guess you could say this is all about keeping up with the times... and also not losing your mind when you bite into a bar that's only got like 10% actual chocolate 
? They're just slapping on a milk chocolate coating and calling it a day. Like, what's next? Watergate biscuits being marketed as 'chocolate biscuits'? 
. I mean, I love a good Toffee Crisp as much as the next person, but can't they just pay a bit more for the cocoa instead of using cheap veg fat? 
. I mean, who doesn't love the classic Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband bars? They've been a staple in my household for years, and it's just not the same now. The new label is a bit of a letdown, if you ask me 
. And can you believe they're using vegetable fat instead of milk chocolate? It's like they're trying to sneak it past us 
. I'm not sure what's more worrying, though - the fact that they had to make such changes due to rising ingredient costs or that they're still charging us full price for a product that doesn't quite live up to its former self 
. I mean, who doesn't love a good toffee crisp in milk chocolate? 
It's just that I feel like they're kinda being sneaky about it 
... saying it's 'milk chocolate coated' instead of 'contains fewer cocoa solids than required'. Like, what's the point of even labeling it if it's not 100% accurate? 
. But on the other hand, I get that ingredient costs are through the roof and they need to make some changes 
. It's just frustrating because now I'm gonna have to check the ingredients every time I buy those bars 
... and honestly, I don't even know if it's worth it anymore 
They've got less cocoa solids than the rules say and instead use a cheaper fat substitute. It just doesn't seem right to me. And what's with the new label? 'Milk chocolate flavour coating' is kinda misleading 
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, just found out Nestle rebranded Toffee Crisp & Blue Riband bars from milk chocolate to "milk chocolate coated" 
. Chocolate prices are already thru the roof and now they're skimping on cocoa too? It's like they're just throwing money at the problem instead of solving it 
Anywayz, it's kinda sad that they had to water down the cocoa solids 'cause of rising costs 
i'm not buying the 'carefully developed and sensory tested' excuse either... sounds like a bunch of corporate nonsense 
... i don't think its fair to us consumers who are just trying to enjoy our treats without breaking the bank