Chocolate giant Cadbury and owner Mondelez hit back over Dispatches claims of recipe changes and job losses
Cadbury owner Mondelez has hit back at claims the confectioner has changed the recipe for its iconic product, Dairy Milk, and accused Channel 4's Dispatches programme of being one-sided and misleading.
Cadbury was bought by Mondelez when it was known as Kraft in 2010, in a controversial hostile takeover.
According to Dispatches, thousands of jobs have been lost since the deal, with production of iconic British chocolate brands moved abroad – despite promises that production would be retained at the company's UK operations.
In a Dispatches episode aiming to "[lift] the lid on what's been happening to Cadbury since its controversial takeover by American giant Kraft", reporter Harry Wallop said Mondelez has "broken promises", sacked workers and is making a number of its chocolate products – including Dairy Milk – in Poland. The programme also contained allegations that recipes have been changed.
Cadbury has, in the past, admitted to changing recipes, notably for the nation's best known Easter treat the Creme Egg and also for the much loved Fruit & Nut bar.
Mondelez said in a statement tonight that the recipe for Cadbury Dairy Milk "has not changed".
"While the recipe itself remains a closely guarded secret, we are committed to making sure Cadbury Dairy Milk is as loved as it has always been," the company said.
Snack giant Mondelez, which also owns the Milka and Oreo brands, added: "The one-sided and misleading programme did not fully reflect the thriving life at Cadbury in 2016. This is a great disservice to the thousands of hard working colleagues in the UK who are proud to work here, treasure Cadbury’s history and are excited about its future."