Nestlé has confirmed the theft of a massive shipment of KitKat chocolate bars, after a truck carrying about 12 tonnes — roughly 413,000 units — vanished during transit across Europe.
The consignment, which departed from central Italy en route to Poland for distribution, failed to reach its destination, with both the vehicle and its cargo still unaccounted for.
In a statement, the company said the incident could disrupt supply, warning that the loss may lead to shortages on store shelves, particularly ahead of peak demand during the Easter period.
A spokesperson acknowledged the unusual nature of the theft, remarking that while the perpetrators showed “exceptional taste,” the case highlights a broader rise in cargo theft affecting global supply chains.
Nestlé added that each chocolate bar is traceable through unique batch codes, allowing retailers and consumers to identify products from the stolen shipment and report them if found.
Authorities are investigating the disappearance, amid concerns the goods could resurface through unofficial sales channels across European markets.
