Leena Watts
In 2019, Cadbury launched a new 'diet' Dairy Milk bar with 30% less sugar than the original. This was the first change to the original recipe since 1905. In 2023, Cadbury bosses claimed they were close to creating a 'diet chocolate' bar with 75% less sugar. While the company believes the new product will taste the same as the original, they have admitted that it is not quite there yet. Cadbury's chief executive, Dirk van de Put, has said that it will take time for consumers to adjust to the new product, just like with diet drinks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sugar content | 39g per 100g (originally 56g per 100g) |
| Calories | 503 per 100g (originally 534 per 100g) |
| Fibre content | More fibre added to replace reduced sugar content |
| Sweeteners | No artificial sweeteners used |
| Release date | 2019 |
| Location | Manufactured in Europe, released in the UK and Ireland |
| Recipe change | First change to the original recipe since 1905 |
| New 'diet chocolate' bar | 75% less sugar and significantly less fat |
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What You'll Learn
Cadbury's 'diet' Dairy Milk chocolate
Cadbury Dairy Milk is a British brand of milk chocolate manufactured by Cadbury. It was introduced in the United Kingdom in June 1905 and has since become a market leader in the UK, ranking as the best-selling chocolate bar in 2014. The bar was developed by George Cadbury Jr, and by 1914, it had become the company's best-selling product.
In July 2018, Cadbury announced it would launch a new 'diet' Dairy Milk version with 30% less sugar. The company's US owners, Mondelez, have been experimenting with plant-based fibres to create a 'healthier' version of the chocolate. The new bar is said to have 75% less sugar and significantly less fat. Dirk van de Put, chief executive of Mondelez, has stated that it will take time for consumers to adapt to the new product as the taste is not exactly the same as the original, although it is getting close.
While some may view this new product as a positive step towards healthier options, others have criticized it as another reminder that chocolate is 'bad' and something to feel ashamed of enjoying. Sofie Hagen, the author of 'Happy Fat: Taking Up Space in a World That Wants to Shrink You', argues that our obsession with weight loss and dieting is unhealthy and doesn't make us happy. She suggests that rather than focusing on dieting, we should strive for a varied diet full of vegetables, listen to our bodies, and exercise regularly.
It is important to note that the concept of 'dieting' and the idea that certain foods are 'off-limits' can lead to disordered eating and a negative relationship with food. A healthy approach to eating involves balance, moderation, and listening to your body's needs rather than strictly restricting certain foods or food groups.
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The negative connotations of chocolate
Chocolate has long been associated with feelings of guilt and pleasure, often deemed an "indulgence" or a "vice". This is evident in Cadbury's recent launch of a 'diet' Dairy Milk chocolate bar, which contains 30% less sugar than the original. While the company frames this product as a healthier option, some critics argue that it reinforces the negative perception of chocolate as something to be ashamed of enjoying.
The idea of 'diet' chocolate implies that chocolate is inherently bad for you and that consuming it contributes to weight gain or poor health. This notion is further perpetuated by the growing trend of dieting and the desire to be thin, often equated with being healthy and happy. As a result, chocolate is often viewed as an enemy of weight loss and a threat to one's self-control. This mindset can lead to restrictive eating patterns and a disordered relationship with food, as individuals strive to adhere to strict dietary rules and avoid "bad" foods like chocolate.
The negative connotations associated with chocolate can have a detrimental impact on individuals' well-being. It contributes to a cycle of shame and guilt, where people feel compelled to hide their chocolate consumption or engage in secretive eating. This can lead to a sense of failure and self-loathing if one gives in to the "temptation" of chocolate. Furthermore, the focus on dieting and weight loss can distract from the true markers of health and happiness, such as overall nutritional intake, exercise, and mental well-being.
While the health implications of excessive sugar consumption are well-known, it is important to recognize that chocolate, in moderation, can be part of a balanced diet. The key lies in reframing one's perspective on chocolate and rejecting the notion that certain foods are inherently good or bad. Instead of vilifying chocolate, individuals can strive for a healthy relationship with food, where chocolate is enjoyed without guilt and viewed as just another component of a varied and nutritious diet.
In conclusion, the negative connotations of chocolate as an indulgent and guilty pleasure contribute to a problematic mindset that can impact individuals' well-being. By reframing chocolate as an enjoyable part of a balanced diet, individuals can free themselves from the cycle of guilt and shame associated with chocolate consumption.
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The problem with diets
The diet industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry that profits from people's insecurities about their bodies. It promotes the idea that thin equals happy and that certain foods, like chocolate, are "bad" and should be avoided or indulged in only as a "cheat meal". This can lead to a disordered relationship with food, where individuals develop an unhealthy fixation on restricting or overeating certain foods.
Additionally, diets can be time-consuming and expensive, requiring special meals, supplements, or gym memberships. They can also be socially isolating, as individuals may feel they can no longer enjoy meals with friends or family due to strict dietary restrictions.
The focus on weight loss and dieting can also detract from the actual goal of improving health. Healthy eating is about having a balanced and varied diet, listening to your body, and exercising regularly. It is not just about achieving a certain number on the scale.
Furthermore, diets that promote quick fixes and extreme measures can be dangerous and lead to nutritional deficiencies, slowed metabolism, and other health issues. Instead of focusing on restrictive diets, it is more important to cultivate a healthy relationship with food and one's body, where all foods can be enjoyed in moderation.
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![Dairy Milk Bar - 360g by Cadburys [Foods]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61aWouiyvpL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Cadbury's sustainability efforts
Cadbury, owned by Mondelēz International, has been working to improve the sustainability of its cocoa supply chain. In 2012, the company helped create Cocoa Life, a global program in partnership with suppliers, governments, and non-profit organisations, including Fairtrade. Cocoa Life aims to improve the lives of cocoa farmers and their communities while protecting the planet. The program has made strides in reducing deforestation in West Africa, with near-zero deforestation on Cocoa Life farms in the region since 2018.
Cocoa Life also addresses social issues such as child labour and gender inequality. It aims to enhance child protection systems and improve access to education in cocoa-farming communities. Additionally, the program recognises the importance of increasing women's involvement in the industry, which can lead to better financial management and thriving communities. Cadbury plans to invest an additional $600 million in Cocoa Life through 2030, bringing the total investment to $1 billion.
However, Cadbury has faced criticism for issues within its supply chain, including animal welfare, environmental, and human rights concerns. The company has also been criticised for using genetically modified ingredients and for its association with child labour. Despite these challenges, Cadbury is taking steps towards more sustainable packaging. They are increasing their use of recycled plastic, aiming for 50% recycled plastic wrappers across their chocolate blocks, bars, and pieces produced in Australia. The company is also supporting the National Plastics Recycling Scheme, which is trialling soft plastic collection in kerbside recycling bins.
While Cadbury has made progress in sustainability, particularly with Cocoa Life, it has not yet met the minimum ethical benchmark required for accreditation. To achieve this, the company must address the issues within its supply chain and continue to prioritise environmental and social responsibility.
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The taste of 'diet' chocolate
Chocolate is often considered a "guilty pleasure", a "vice", or an "indulgence", with negative connotations for those trying to lose weight. In response to the UK Government's plan to reduce the sugar content of snacks and treats, Cadbury has launched a 'diet' version of its classic Dairy Milk bar with 30% less sugar. The new bar has no artificial sweeteners and contains more fibre, but it has a similar calorie count to the original.
Cadbury bosses are also working on a 'diet chocolate' bar with 75% less sugar and significantly less fat. They hope it will taste the same as the original and become as popular as diet soft drinks, but they admit that it doesn't taste exactly the same yet. Dirk van de Put, chief executive of Mondelez, which owns Cadbury, said:
> "It's going to be a bit like diet drinks and grow very slowly, but we need to keep it on the market. It's going to take a while before the consumer really takes to that because it still is not quite exactly the same taste - although it is getting close."
While some might welcome the idea of a 'healthier' chocolate bar, others might argue that reducing the sugar content is just another reminder that chocolate is 'bad' and that our obsession with weight loss and dieting is unhealthy.
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Frequently asked questions
Diet chocolate is Cadbury's attempt at creating a healthier version of their classic chocolate bar. The new bar will have 75% less sugar and significantly less fat.
The sugar content is being reduced by adding more fibre to the bar.
Cadbury's diet chocolate was launched in the UK in July 2019 and went on sale in Ireland in September 2019. The company is still running test trials for the initial launch.
Although the company believes the taste is similar to the original chocolate, they admit that it is not exactly the same.
Cadbury's is creating a diet chocolate bar in response to the UK Government's plan to reduce the sugar content of snacks and sweet treats by 20% by 2020.
