Hyderabad resident finds fungus on Cadbury chocolate, company regrets ‘unpleasant experience’

A Hyderabad-based Cadbury consumer was shocked to find fungus on chocolate after opening the packet, which was well within its expiration date. The Hyderabad resident clicked pictures of the chocolate that had gone bad and shared it on social media. Since then, many shared that they have had similar experiences with Cadbury chocolates and suggested that the user file a case with the consumer court. After the post went viral, the company released a statement saying that its products are “free from any physical, chemical, and microbiological issues”. They added that they had tried to connect with the customer but hadn’t heard back.

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“The manufacturing of these dairy milk is in January 2024, and the expiration date is 12 months from manufacture. Found them like this when I opened it. Look into this,” posted X user who goes by the handle @goooofboll on the microblogging platform.

Alongside, @goooofboll tagged the official X handle of Cadbury Dairy Milk and shared pictures of the chocolate.

The pictures show fungus on chocolate that was manufactured just a few months back in January 2024. It also shows a large hole at the back of one of the chocolates.

Take a look at the pictures shared on X below:

The consumer posted a complaint on April 27 on the microblogging platform X. It has since then accumulated over six lakh views and the numbers are still increasing. Additionally, many users have reshared it, adding their thoughts and comments along the way.

Check out how people reacted to this post here:

“Did they contact to find the batch number or just ignored?” asked an X user. To this, the complainant shared that the company has “ignored” it.

Another added that the “shelf life of chocolate is 15 days”.

A third X user suggested people should “avoid eating chocolates” as such incidents also happened in the past.

“File a case with consumer court, attaching pictures and the shop/supermarket details from where you purchased. Don't let it go,” wrote a fourth.

A fifth said, “Fungus is between pieces 3 and 4, so why is it not visible in the first two pics? The chocolate bar looks disgusting anyway.”

The complainant replied and corrected the user saying that it’s not just one but “two different pieces” of chocolate.

Many expressed facing similar issues with the chocolates manufactured by Cadbury and urged them to “look into the matter”.

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In response to the post, the company wrote, “Hi, Mondelez India Foods Private Limited (formerly Cadbury India Ltd) endeavours to maintain the highest quality standards, and we regret to note that you have had an unpleasant experience.” Cadbury also shared an email address and asked the consumer to write to them with their concern.

Following a social media frenzy, the company released a statement. It reads, “At Mondelez, we follow the internationally accepted HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) programme, which is the most comprehensive food safety system, to ensure that our products are free from any physical, chemical, and microbiological issues. Chocolate, like any other food product, requires specific care and attention in the distribution chain, retail environment and storage. Every Cadbury product label mentions the storage instruction: ‘Store in a cool, hygienic and dry place’.”

“We are trying to contact the consumer but have not heard back. We would encourage the consumer to come forward and share their experience on our email ID or Toll-free number as mentioned on the back of our packs and provide us the product for further testing which is critical for investigating the complaint,” it further said.