Nestle confirms big change coming to KitKat chocolate bars

There's a reason another one of your favourites looks a little, erm... different!

3 min read

January 20, 2025 - 11:22AM

Wait, we’ve been eating Kit Kats wrong this whole time?

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Shrinkflation has been the word on everyone’s lips lately, and it seems another Aussie favourite is the latest to cop accusations.

Off the back of an exciting new product announcement, Nestle has made a disappointing call around KitKats - however the reason may surprise you.

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Image: KitKat.

A disappointing change

Nestle has made a shocking announcement on the Australian KitKat website regarding the size of KitKat bars, which are set to shrink down from 45g to 42g.

However, rather than blaming it on costs or inflation, the company said the cause is an upgrade to their factory.

“We want you to know we have made some upgrades at our KITKAT factory to bring you the same KITKAT 4 Finger bar recipe you know and love, now with an even crispier ‘snap’,” the statement said.

“There has been a slight change in the size of our wafer moulds to make them compatible with the new technology.

“This means you will start to see the KITKAT 4 Finger change from 45g to 42g.”

The announcement has come off the back of the launch of the new KitKat Neapolitan flavour.

“We’re committed to providing you with the same smooth quality milk chocolate and fresh wafer ‘snap’ that we know KITKAT fans love, as well as offering more delicious flavours, fillings, textures, and tastes,” they said. “Look out for our newest sensation made possible by this factory upgrade, KITKAT Neapolitan, available at retailers in Australia from January and in NZ from mid-February.”

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Not the first time

You may think that 3g is an insignificant change, however this isn’t the first time a few grams has been docked on a KitKat product, and just about everyone noticed.

In March last year, Nestle confirmed that their ‘fun size’ KitKats became smaller, with the weight reduced from 17g to 14g.

“We found ourselves in the situation where pretty much everything we needed to make Kit Kats has been increasing in price for the past couple of years,” Nestle director of corporate affairs Margaret Stuart told 3AW.

“Cocoa is now at record prices, sugar has gone up significantly, transport and shipping all well above inflation, wages and energy have also gone up.”

At the time, Stuart said that it was a difficult decision to make - though not one she could promise wouldn’t happen again.

“These are not decisions that we take lightly because we know people don’t like it but they also don’t like price rises either,” she said.

“This is an environment where we do need to keep costs under control. We know people don’t want increased prices but I’m never going to make a promise that things aren’t going to change in the future.”

Are you eating KitKats correctly?

Chances are fans of the chocolate bar aren’t going to let 3g get between them and their beloved KitKats (and fair enough, they’re delish!).

But, according to KitKat, there is a right way to eat them, and it’s the ‘Break, Snap and Enjoy’ method – break off each finger, snap it in half and savour the wafery-chocolatey goodness.

“After years of fun and friendly debate, we felt it was time to finally share the truth with the nation and announce how a KitKat is meant to be enjoyed. It seems however, that debate will always rage on the best way to enjoy your KitKat!” Nestlé Confectionery Marketing Manager Shannon Wright said.

“Ultimately, whether you bite, break, or even get out a knife and fork – what really matters is that everyone takes a break and enjoys a moment for themselves.”