Chocolate: “Mogel pack” Milka? Consumer advocates move to court

The purple pack remains, but there is less in it: Because Milka chocolate boards now weigh 90 instead of 100 grams, consumer advocates are taking to court. The Hamburg Consumer Center submitted a lawsuit against the manufacturer Mondelez at the Bremen district court, as the court of the German Press Agency confirmed. The accusation: unfair competition – from the perspective of consumer advocates, the new table is a “mogue pack”.

Consumer center: Customers are deceived

“Many consumers have been buying Milka’s chocolate in their usual packaging for many years and assuming that the filling quantity has not changed,” says Armin Valet, food expert at the consumer advice center. “But they are deceived because a number of varieties only contain 90 grams at the same or even higher price”.

From the point of view of consumer advocates, the difference between the chocolate panels can only be recognized in direct comparison. While the packaging and the design are identical to the information, the board itself has become around a millimeter thinner.

The consumer advice center criticizes a clear reference to the reduction in the content. It is small on the front of the packaging, but is easy to overlook and is often covered by the sales boxes on the supermarket shelf. In court, they now want to obtain a clear indication of the package.

Consumer center: Politics must create rules

“A tiny number print that is also hidden from cardboard taps is not enough. Those who offer less goods in the same packaging must be clear and unmistakable,” emphasizes Valet. It demands binding requirements for shrinking package content from the federal government. In his opinion, manufacturers should be obliged to attach a warning for at least six months. The pack size must also be smaller with the content.

“Companies like Mondelez keep using the legislative gap shamelessly,” said Valet. In recent years, many hundreds of complaints have been received on the tricks of the food group. The Hamburg consumer advocates have a list of “Mogel packs” – more than a thousand articles are already on it.

Manufacturer: cocoa prices at a record level

The manufacturer Mondelez Germany sees it differently. A spokeswoman for the company emphasized transparency for consumers. “That is why we clearly state the new weight of each board on the product packaging.” The company has also informed customers about the changes on social media, an overview with all the boards, varieties and weights can be found on the Milka website at any time.

Increasing the prices for customers is always the last means, the manufacturer said. But the costs for the supply chain and the ingredients have recently increased significantly. “For example, cocoa prices have almost tripled in the past twelve months and reached a record level.” In order to remain competitive and no compromises in the taste and quality, the manufacturer has adapted the weight of the Milka board in standard and large format.

How does the procedure continue?

How the proceedings at the Bremen district court go out is still open. According to a court spokeswoman, the Mondelez Germany company now has the opportunity to react to the lawsuit. The chamber will then decide how to proceed. An oral hearing in court is also conceivable.