A sour taste in Aussie’s mouths: Cadbury just tampered with beloved chocolate bar

Attention, sweet tooths: we have some news that might ruffle your feathers.

Cadbury, the confectionary giant, confirmed that a beloved treat is going through a major change, causing a stir among chocolate lovers.


The Cherry Ripe bar, known for its rich blend of cherries and coconut enrobed in dark chocolate, has been downsized.

The bar that was once a satisfying 52g is now a less substantial 44g. Despite this 15 per cent decrease in size, the price remains at $2.50 in major retailers.


compressed-cherry.jpeg
Cadbury confirmed that Cherry Ripe decreased in serving size. Image Credit: Cadbury


A Cadbury spokesperson explained the changes implemented on the beloved chocolate bar.

'Bar sizes have been adjusted to meet the Australian Government's Healthy Food Partnership chocolate targets, which help consumers better manage their treat portions,' they said.

'Cadbury also aims to use ~50 per cent (on a mass balance basis) recycled plastic for its wrappers across its core chocolate portfolio, including bars produced in Australia,' they added.


While these are commendable steps towards health and sustainability, they don't quite sweeten the deal for some shoppers, especially with the price tag not reflecting the shrinkage.

This move has sparked a heated debate on social media, where they vocalised their disappointment. Some have even coined the term 'shrinkflation' to describe the phenomenon of paying the same price for a smaller product.

'Caught some shrinkflation in the process, clearing out the 52g to bring in 44g at the same price,' one shopper wrote.

'I honestly don't like this. Cherry Ripe is always good to have… but if they're going to have us charge more for less, then I might not buy as much as I used to,' another comment said.

'It's cherry rip now,' a third quipped.


Some speculate that this could lead to introducing a 'jumbo' size at a higher price, which may also shrink.

'I despise shrinkflation, but in this case, it's somewhat understandable as the price of cocoa bean has gone through the roof,' a commenter defended, pointing out a possible increase of prices for raw ingredients.

However, others have pointed out that the Cherry Ripe bar is mostly filling, with cherries and coconut as primary ingredients.

As one of the previous commenters mentioned, shrinkflation has been a prevalent practice in consumer goods. Shoppers may get less bang-for-buck values for the same price—some even higher price points.

According to consumer advocacy group CHOICE, it's not just affecting our daily treats—it also affects items we use daily. Notable examples included hot cross buns and breakfast cereals, which have seen a reduction in size along with an increase in price, affecting value for money for consumers.
Key Takeaways

  • Cadbury has reduced the size of its popular Cherry Ripe chocolate bars from 52g to 44g, a 15 per cent decrease in size.
  • The smaller bars will remain at $2.50, sparking outrage among consumers for what is known as 'shrinkflation.'
  • Cadbury applied changes to comply with Australian Government health recommendations to help consumers manage portions.
  • Social media users have expressed their frustration, with some predicting that reducing product sizes will continue, leading to higher prices for traditional-sized chocolate bars in the future.
How do you feel about the downsizing of the Cherry Ripe bar? Have you noticed other favourite products shrinking in size but not in price? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
 
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I have a few “guilty little pleasures” and a Cherry Ripe is definitely amongst them…Everyday after work I would indulge, mum always had a good stock of them. Now when I am driving home after grocery shopping I more often than not will have a Cherry Ripe!!
When they are on special at the supermarket I do stock up!!!
I was surprised to see that the “large” two in the one packet are actually cheaper than a single one..
 
Nestle cherry truffle easter eggs.
4 cups dedicated coconut, 300g red glaced cherries chopped, 395g sweetened cond.milk,
375g nestle dark or white melts , 30g copha
Combine 1st 3 ingredients. Roll into balls (press into baking tray with sides) sorry,not sure what size my friend used. Refrigerate.
Combine melted chocolate melts with copra and dip balls in it or spread on top if using baking tray.
Refrigerate until set.
Thank you for this recipe 💖 I know what to make this weekend :)
 
I remember, in the 1960's, when Cherry Ripes were twice as big! They were originally wrapped in foil, with a paper sleeve. I loved the picture, on the wrapper, of the boy pinching cherries from the tree, and the owner, with his bulldog, ready to catch him!
 
I remember, in the 1960's, when Cherry Ripes were twice as big! They were originally wrapped in foil, with a paper sleeve. I loved the picture, on the wrapper, of the boy pinching cherries from the tree, and the owner, with his bulldog, ready to catch him!
They were made by MacRobertson until Cadbury swallowed them up.
 
This won’t just hurt customers it will also hurt Cadbury as people will refuse to pay $2.50 for a shrunken down version of the Cherry Ripe bar - me included. I only buy what’s on special nowadays and won‘t pay more than $1.10 for a chocolate bar. Shame on you Cadbury!
This like the Chico babies (sorry whatever they are called now) used to be $2- $2.50 now $5 and $3.50 on special, love them but will not pay $3.50 for a 180g bag of lollies. Allen's have lost a customer.
 
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I've read about shrinking products in other articles.

Some retailers/manufacturers have fessed up saying the 'shrink' was a way of still providing the item in a smaller serve without raising the price.

But here, the manufacturer is saying the 'shrink' is for our own good.

Well and good maybe, but this manufacturer should adjust price down to mirror the reduction in production costs.
 
This like the Chico babies (sorry whatever they are called now) used to be $2- $2.50 now $5 and $3.50 on special, love them but will not pay $3.50 for a 180g bag of lollies. Allen's have lost a customer.
They will probably be discontinued for having racial undertones.

Who knows?

Same as "Fags", the lolly cigarette. The name was changed to appease to the LGBT Alphabet Soup Mob....
 
"Bar sizes have been adjusted to ...help consumers better manage their treat portions...."
As Bill Oddie was wont to say on The Goodies... "What a load of bleedin' rubbish!:"
Cherry ripe bars are currently 52g; there is a Double coated version for the same price but only 44g; and there is a
"Twin" pack @ 68g (which means a "single serve" bar should therefore be 34g)!

Meanwhile, there is absolutely no standard "serving size" with Cadbury's range:
Twirl 39g
Flake 30g
Picnic 46g
Crunchie 50g
Dairy milk 55g
Turkish delight 55g
Best value is obviously Turkish Delight (originally made by Frys), Cherry Ripe (originally made by Macrobertsons) or the Dairy Milk (solid chocolate, still sold in foil with paper wrapper - far more environmentally friendly than "recycled plastics").
I remember when at Primary School eating Macrobertson's Cherry Ripe bars so I could collect the reproduction Confederate Bank NotesCherry-Ripe.jpg
that used to be included, lying flat, between the paper and foil layers of the wrapper (would have to be wrapped around the narrower, smaller bar beneath the plastic wrapper these days - and too bad if the chocolate melted!).
 
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