A German court has ruled that Mondelez International, the owner of the Milka brand, misled consumers by shrinking the size of its chocolate bars while maintaining the same packaging. The ruling, delivered by the Regional Court of Frankfurt, found that the practice known as “shrinkflation” violated German competition law. The court ordered the company to cease selling the smaller bars in packaging that could create the impression the product had not changed.
The case was brought by the Federation of German Consumer Organisations, which argued that consumers were being deceived into paying the same price for less chocolate. The court agreed, stating that the packaging did not adequately draw attention to the reduced weight. Mondelez had reduced the weight of its 200-gram Milka bars to 180 grams without changing the wrapper size or design.
Consumer groups in Britain have seized on the ruling as evidence of a wider pattern of shrinkflation in the food industry. Which?, the UK consumer advocacy group, called for stricter regulations on labelling. “This ruling should be a wake-up call for regulators here,” said a spokesperson for Which?. “Consumers have a right to know when a product has been reduced in size, particularly when the price remains the same.”
The British Retail Consortium, representing major supermarkets, acknowledged the issue but said that most retailers already provide clear information on packaging. “Supermarkets are committed to transparency,” said a representative. “Weight changes are clearly marked on labels and on shelf-edge displays.”
However, critics argue that such markings are often small and easy to miss. The court in Frankfurt ruled that mere declaration of weight was insufficient, as consumers typically rely on the overall appearance of packaging. The decision has prompted calls for the UK government to consider similar legal protections.
The Competition and Markets Authority has not yet issued a formal response to the ruling. However, sources indicate that the regulator is monitoring the situation closely. The ruling comes amid broader concerns about food price inflation and the rising cost of living in both Germany and the UK.
Mondelez International has not indicated whether it will appeal the German court’s decision. In a statement, the company said it “respects the court’s decision” but maintained that its products are “clearly labelled with accurate weights”. The company faces potential fines if it continues to sell the undersized bars in their original packaging.
The case is likely to have implications beyond Germany. As shrinkflation becomes more common in the face of rising commodity costs, consumer groups across Europe are pushing for harmonised regulations that mandate conspicuous notification when product sizes are reduced. The European Commission has yet to propose specific legislation, but the topic is expected to feature in upcoming discussions on consumer rights.
For now, the German ruling stands as a landmark decision that may reshape how food companies approach packaging and pricing. UK consumer groups say they will continue to press for similar standards, warning that without clearer labelling, British shoppers risk being routinely short-changed.
