Why beloved treat can't use the word 'chocolate' on its packs anymore
Earlier this week, some dedicated Aussie fans of Smarties noticed a subtle yet significant change.
They noted the word "chocolate" on the front of the pack had been reduced to read "choc". The packet still indicated it contained 50g of Smarties, so it wasn't a shrinkflation issue.
After sharing a photo of the change on Reddit's 'Woolworths' thread, followers began speculating about the reason for the change.
Some dedicated Aussie fans of Smarties have spotted a subtle yet significant change. Nine/Coles
One suggested it may have something to do with the subtle flavour difference they had first detected months earlier. A comparison of the ingredients then and now confirms a significant change.
Smarties packets used to read: "Product contains 62% Milk Chocolate and 38% Crispy Shell Milk chocolate contains minimum 22% Cocoa solids and minimum 25% Milk Solids."
Now, the ingredients state: "Milk Solids, Vegetables Fat, Cocoa Mass, Wheat Flour, Rice Starch" and notes "61% Compound Chocolate with 39% crispy shell."
A spokesperson for Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) explained to nine.com.au under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code which sets out the legal requirements for food produced or imported for sale in Australia and New Zealand to ensure a safe food supply for consumers, food sold as chocolate must meet the compositional definition in Standard 2.10.4.
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The word 'chocolate' on the front of the pack has been reduced to read 'choc'. Reddit
"Chocolate must be characterised by the presence of cocoa bean derivatives, meaning it contains cocoa solids and or cocoa butter. It must be made from at least 20 per cent cocoa bean derivatives and can contain no more than 5 per cent edible oils other than cocoa butter or dairy fats.
"Businesses are responsible for ensuring their products meet the requirements of the Code and for choosing product descriptions that accurately reflect the composition of their food."
One Redditor said of the change: "Wondered why smarties tasted like a weird $2 shop knock off all of a sudden."
"It's the compound chocolate 🤮. Still shows as chocolate on woolies website though."
Chocolate is made using cocoa butter as its fat source, while compound chocolate uses vegetable fats not derived from cocoa.
We reached out to Nestle Australia and a spokesperson confirmed the recipe for Smarties had been changed "earlier this year" due to the rising cost of cocoa as well as production costs.
"Smarties lovers may notice a subtle difference because of a minor change to our recipe that we made to our Smarties made in Australia earlier this year," they told nine.com.au.
Smarties packets used to read: 'Product contains 62% Milk Chocolate.' Nine/Coles
Now the ingredients read: '61% Compound Chocolate.' Nine/Coles
"Making changes, no matter how small, is not something we do lightly but prices of cocoa have risen significantly, along with costs of labour, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution.
"Our chocolate experts have worked hard to make sure that people can still enjoy that smooth, melt in your mouth sensation of Smarties, and iconic crispy, colourful shell – and yes, there are still blue Smarties!
"Our Smarties are made at our chocolate factory in Melbourne, where we make more than one billion Smarties every year, enough Smarties to stretch from Sydney to London!"
When asked about the exact ingredients change they said: “We adjusted the recipe of our Smarties centre. The choc centre is now made from a different mix of ingredients, however still delivers a smooth, creamy mouth feel.”
One Redditor commented: "Don't know why they're allowed to use Choc as a cover and get away with it, purposely designed to con simple folk like me who didn't realise what was going on.”
"Smarties are my guilty pleasure but M&M's are 10X better," added another.
"Prices of cocoa have risen significantly, along with costs of labour, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution." Nine/Coles
A 50g packet of Smarties normally costs $3 but is currently on sale at Coles for two packets for $5, meaning customers pay $2.50 each. This is an increase in price from $2 per pack in previous years.
The price of the Smarties 11-piece share pack has increased from $7 to $7.50.
The last time Smarties underwent a major change was in 2008-2009, when Nestle Australia announced it was replacing the artificial colours and flavours with ingredients derived from natural sources such as tumeric, carotene and spirulina.
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The last time Smarties underwent a major change was in 2008-2009. Nine
Nestle Australia said at the time: "Consumers are telling us they prefer products that are as natural as possible.
"We make these moves as it becomes possible for us to give consumers the high quality products they want at a price they are prepared to pay."
The Smarties range switched to recyclable paper-based packaging globally in January 2021.
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