Easter chocolate shortage fears after truckload of KitKats stolen
A chocolate shortage might strike the Easter Bunny after a huge shipment of KitKats was stolen in a dramatic heist, disappearing without a trace – here’s how the truckload could be tracked down
READING LEVEL: GREEN
A huge shipment of crunchy KitKat chocolate bars has been stolen in Europe, with the brand warning the heist* risked causing shortages in stores right before Easter.
KitKat, owned by Swiss food giant NestleÌÂ, confirmed in a statement sent to AFP on Saturday that “a truck transporting 413,793 units of its new chocolate range has been stolen during transit in Europe”.
The shipment, weighing around 12 tonnes, disappeared last week while heading between production and distribution locations, it said.
“We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat,” a spokesperson for the brand said, referring to its catchphrase*.
“But it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tonnes of our chocolate.”
The manufacturer warned that “the theft may lead to a shortage of KitKats appearing on shelf”, acknowledging that “consumers, unfortunately, may struggle to find their favourite chocolates ahead of Easter”.
But there was good news for Australia’s loyal KitKat lovers: potential shortages would only affect customers in Europe.
The stolen truck had left central Italy and was making its way to Poland, with a plan to distribute the bars in countries along the way.
NestleÌÂ did not say where specifically the goods went missing, but said “the vehicle and its contents remain unaccounted for”.
“Investigations are ongoing in close collaboration with local authorities and supply chain partners,” it said.
KitKat warned that the missing chocolate bars “could enter unofficial sales channels across European markets”.
It said it was possible to trace the stolen goods by scanning the unique batch codes found on each bar.
“If a match is found, the scanner will be given clear instructions on how to alert KitKat who will then share the evidence appropriately,” it said.
This Easter won’t be the first time KitKats have become a precious commodity*. Originally owned by UK confectionary* company Rowntree, during World War II, the chocolate bars were added to British soldiers’ food parcels, which sparked a spike in popularity for the classic chocolate fingers.
While acknowledging the humour of a chocolate bar heist, the company also pointed out that the crime itself was no laughing matter.
“Whilst we appreciate the criminals’ exceptional taste, the fact remains that cargo* theft is an escalating* issue for businesses of all sizes,” KitKat’s statement said.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- heist: a crime in which valuable things are taken illegally and often in a surprising way
- catchphrase: KitKat’s iconic advertising slogan “Have a break, have a KitKat” was launched in the UK in 1958
- commodity: a substance or product that can be traded, bought or sold
- confectionary: sweets, chocolate, candy
- cargo: goods carried by a ship, aircraft, or other large vehicle like a truck
- escalating: increasing rapidly in price, amount, rate, seriousness
EXTRA READING
Jewel heist strikes the Louvre
Naughty Claude the koala is back
Lost wallet study finds people care about others
QUICK QUIZ
- How many chocolate bars were stolen?
- What was the estimated combined weight of the shipment?
- Why did KitKats become more popular during WWII?
- Where in Europe did the KitKats start their journey and where were they going?
- How is it possible to trace the stolen goods?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Harness a headline
Whilst the theft of a truck and cargo is a serious crime, there is the opportunity for media outlets to create some witty and catchy headlines.
Think of three of the catchiest headlines you can to accompany this article and write them below as you’d have them appear in a newspaper.
–
–
–
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Critical and Creative Thinking
2. Extension
What do you think the estimated value of this amount of chocolate, plus the truck driving it, would be?
Come up with an estimated guess using the number of KitKats in the truck, what you pay for them in the supermarket and current market value truck prices.
Compare your estimate with some of your classmates close to you.
Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: Mathematics
VCOP ACTIVITY
What happens next?
Imagine the full story of the KitKat heist turns out to be in three parts and this article is only Part One. Think about what the rest of the story could be and write the next two parts that tell the rest of this story.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Critical and Creative Thinking