Nestlé launches 'Stolen KitKat Tracker' for customers after 413,793 pieces vanish en route
To find the missing chocolates, Nestlé created a special tracker that lets consumers check if their bar is one from the stolen batch
On March 29, Nestlé took to Instagram to share that a truck carrying 413,793 units of KitKat bars was stolen during transit in Europe. The heist happened when the vehicle with about 12 tons of chocolate bars was en route to Poland from a factory in central Italy. Although Nestlé, its parent entity, launched an investigation soon after the incident, the shipment truck and the stolen chocolates are yet to be located, a spokesperson told The Athletic. On April 1, they had to confirm that this wasn't, in fact, an April Fool's joke.
"We've always encouraged people to have a break with KITKAT — but it seems thieves have taken the message too literally..." a KitKat spokesperson joked, taking a lighthearted jab at the robbers. Although the robbery has caused unexpected disruption within the company, Nestlé assured consumers that the supply chain remains unaffected. Moreover, while the company is relieved that no one was hurt in the chocolate heist, the giant Swiss company decided to go public to raise awareness of cargo theft across businesses.
Reportedly, the stolen chocolate bars were part of KitKat's new F1 collection, launched last year. Amidst the theft, Nestlé warned that these stolen chocolates may enter illegal markets. However, if that happens, the authorities may be able to track down the robbers because of a unique batch code printed on each chocolate bar.
Two days after Nestlé confirmed the robbery, it posted a clarification on April 1. The company wrote, "Thank you for your interest in the missing KitKats. But just to clarify, this is not a stunt or an April Fool's joke. Someone really stole 12 tonnes of KitKats, and we really want to know where they have gone." Moreover, Nestlé revealed that they have created a special tracker for consumers to check if their chocolate bar is one from the missing batch. Buyers can check the special code printed on the back of the chocolate bar and enter it on the "Stolen KitKat tracker," launched by the company. "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 spokesperson told AFP.
The KitKat robbery may have surprised you — after all, who needs that much of a sugar rush, right? But history proves that people really have a weird fascination with stealing bizarre things. For example, a survey by Deluxe Holiday Homes on 1,200 hotel staff members and owners found that towels are the most commonly stolen item from hotel rooms, with 88% of survey respondents agreeing. Likewise, while 66% of respondents mentioned bathrobes, 57% of people shared hangers among the most commonly stolen items from hotel rooms.
Meanwhile, reacting to the KitKat 'heist,' @tashasavillacoleman7096 joked, "I am so offended that I was not invited to be a part of the thievery, or at least given a call from my KitKat dealer to let me get my fix in bulk! (Kidding, but really, gimme a break, you chocoholics)." @deketa6950 asked, "My only question is what would one realistically do with over 417,000 candy bars? 12 US tons of KitKat bars." Who could be interested in such mass quantities of a specific product? What is there to gain? Is there some evil, diabetic villain somewhere, sugar crashing in his lair?" Similarly, @bad-panda123 wrote, "They can melt it down into fudge and sell it on the open market. Who has a recent supply of fudge for sale? Cake stores will buy it and never know it was a melted-down KitKat bar that was stolen."
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