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Topics: Food and Drink, World News, Europe, News, Real Life, True Life, Crime
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Food and Drink, World News, Europe, News, Real Life, True Life, Crime
Nestlé, the food and drink company behind the beloved KitKat bars, has now issued a statement after over 12 tonnes of chocolate were stolen in a heist and may now be circulating across Europe'.
Last week (26 March), KitKat confirmed that a truck transporting a whopping 413,793 units of its new chocolate range had been stolen during transit in Europe.
The heavy shipment disappeared while en route between production and distribution locations. Having left Central Italy the week prior, the bars were to be distributed throughout the continent, with the 1,250-1,350km route eventually terminating in Poland.
According to Nestlé, the vehicle and its contents remain unaccounted for, and investigations are ongoing in close collaboration with local authorities and supply chain partners.
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As per the company's official press release, aptly titled 'Thieves Make a Break For It as 12 Tonnes of KITKAT Go Missing', there is 'no risk associated with the product itself and partners have been alerted'.
"KitKat believes the missing items could enter unofficial sales channels across European markets," the release states. "If this does happen, all products can be traced using the unique batch code assigned to individual bars.
"As a result, consumers, retailers and wholesalers will be able to identify if a product is part of the stolen shipment by scanning the on-pack batch numbers. If a match is found, the scanner will be given clear instructions on how to alert KitKat, who will then share the evidence appropriately."
A KitKat spokesperson told Tyla in a statement: "We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat - but it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tonnes of our chocolate.
"Whilst we appreciate the criminals’ exceptional taste, the fact remains that cargo theft is an escalating issue for businesses of all sizes. With more sophisticated schemes being
deployed on a regular basis, we have chosen to go public with our own experience in the hope that it raises awareness of an increasingly common criminal trend."
Nestlé also outlined that consumers are requested not to attempt to locate, handle or recover any stolen goods and not to take any direct action.
"Any relevant information should be shared through the channel referred to above or with local law enforcement authorities," the press release adds before concluding: "KitKat will continue to support the investigation and provide further updates as appropriate."