Summary
Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband bars, made by Nestle, can no longer be labeled as chocolate in the UK because changes in their recipes lowered cocoa and milk solids below required levels. These recipe changes, due to rising ingredient costs, have led to several products being relabeled as "chocolate-flavored."
Key Facts
- Toffee Crisp and Blue Riband bars cannot be labeled as chocolate in the UK anymore.
- Nestle changed recipes to use more vegetable fat due to rising ingredient costs.
- UK law requires at least 20% cocoa solids and 20% milk solids in products labeled as milk chocolate.
- Nestle's recipe changes are a response to increased costs for cocoa and other ingredients.
- McVitie's Penguin and Club bars have also changed recipes and are now "chocolate flavor."
- Rising cocoa prices were caused by poor harvests and droughts over the past three years.
- The practice of altering ingredient proportions to save on costs is sometimes called "skimpflation."
