A German court has ruled that Mondelez International misled consumers after reducing the size of its iconic Milka chocolate bars from 100g to 90g without making sufficiently clear changes to the packaging, in a closely watched case highlighting growing scrutiny over so-called “shrinkflation” in the food industry.
The ruling, reported by Reuters and further covered by The Guardian, backed a lawsuit brought by a consumer protection agency in Germany.
According to the court, the packaging continued to visually convey the expectation of the long-established 100g format despite the reduction in net weight introduced in early 2025. Judges said consumers should have been given a ‘comprehensible and clearly visible notice’ on packs for at least four months following the quantity reduction in order to avoid confusion.
The decision is not yet final, with Mondelez having one month to appeal.
The case lands at a sensitive moment for the global chocolate industry, where manufacturers continue to face elevated cocoa prices, supply shortages and inflationary pressure across energy, logistics and raw materials.
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For confectionery companies, the ruling may signal tougher regulatory and consumer scrutiny around pricing transparency and pack-size reductions as manufacturers seek to manage rising costs without imposing headline price increases.
European Cocoa Association Announces New Leadership Team
The European Cocoa Association (ECA) has appointed Chris Beetge as its new President for a two-year term beginning 6 May 2026. Beetge, currently Regional Head Europe and Global Head Cocoa Operations at ofi, will lead the association alongside newly appointed Vice-President Guus de Gruiter and Treasurer Olivier Werbrouck, forming the ECA’s new Executive Committee.
In his first remarks as President, Beetge emphasised the importance of industry unity amid ongoing market transformation, highlighting the ECA’s role as a stronger collective voice for the European cocoa sector. He also acknowledged outgoing Chairman Christian Vollers for his leadership, particularly around the successful European Cocoa Forum 2025.
The ECA Board additionally approved the appointments of Albert Rius and Alec Gunn as new Directors, bringing the Board to 11 members. The association represents the vast majority of Europe’s cocoa grinding and industrial chocolate production, maintaining a central role in regulatory, sustainability, and trade discussions across the cocoa value chain.
National Confectioners Association Appoints Carrie Abbott to Leadership Role
The National Confectioners Association has named Carrie Abbott as Vice President of Membership & Business Development. In the newly expanded role, Abbott will oversee member engagement initiatives, industry partnerships, and business development opportunities across the U.S. confectionery sector.
NCA President and CEO John Downs said Abbott’s background as both a confectionery entrepreneur and industry advocate positions her well to support member growth and engagement during a pivotal period for the industry.