Saturday, November 21, 2020

Japanese KitKats Getting Smaller


 

Oh No!  KitKats are shrinking in Japan. KitKats are commonly sold in multipacks, similar to bags of Halloween mini candy bars in the US.  It has recently come to light that even though the packaging is the same, the candy itself has gone from 12 grams each to 10 grams each. 


Why has this happened? A representative from Nestle was quoted as saying: “For some time, many consumers have said they are concerned about calories and want to hold back on their sugar intake. From September 2020, we adjusted the recipe to switch part of the sugar to soy milk okara (lees) powder etc., and changed each serving to be bite-sized so that people concerned about calories can easily enjoy it. ”


What?  Really?  Are people so concerned about calories that they really want smaller KitKats? Nestle's representative also said the company is aware of complaints, but the company maintains that the change was in response to consumer feedback that the "conventional product may be too large." 


Really? What KitKat consumer wants less chocolate?  What do you think? Do you want smaller candy bars? 


KitKat Japan has over 300 different flavors, some being regional or seasonal and only available in certain places or certain times.




7 comments:

jacaranda said...

Each time I have visited I come home with packets of your KitKats. Love Oranges & Lemons and Wasabi flavours.

Vireya said...

Ha ha! I've heard the same marketing nonsense here, when products get smaller but the price stays the same. The companies do it for profit reasons, but claim that the consumers demanded the change.

Queeniepatch said...

I agree with Vireya 100%!!!!
Soon the bits will be so small one needs two to satisfy one's sweet tooth. A great marketing strategy.
By changing to okara powder, consumers with soy intolerance will no longer be able to enjoy Kit-Kat!
A bad move Nestl'é!

Lin said...

Calories my foot! I bet the price hasnt changed. They already look measly to me as we get four decent fingers in our kitkats. xx

kiwikid said...

Sounds like a good way to try and make more money to me. Nestle uses Palm oil in their products too I have been told, if they are concerned about people's health they wouldn't be doing that either.

Jeanie said...

It has NOTHING to do with calories. It has to do with how much money they can make by taking out a little bit of the bar but charging the same price. Over hundreds of bars they'll save millions of dollars. Or close. That's happened to many products here -- cereal, ice cream, laundry detergent -- you name it.

Leonore Winterer said...

I might just have to eat two kitkats at a time now...