Creator’s Daughter Laments Rising Cost of Cadbury’s Beloved Freddo Chocolate Bar
Leonie Wadin, 74, recounted how her father would bring home boxes of Freddos, a chocolate frog named after his best mate, Fred, which he created at the age of 14.
Wadin said her father would be “rolling in his grave” if he knew the current prices, citing his disgust at the bar’s diminutive size and hefty cost.
From Humble Beginnings to UK Sensation
The Freddo bar was launched in Australia in the 1930s, selling for a penny, before briefly appearing on British shelves in 1973.
It wasn’t until the 1990s that the treat gained widespread popularity in the UK.
Wadin recalled how her father convinced a boss to ditch a chocolate mouse idea, opting instead for a frog design, inspired by children’s fondness for catching tadpoles.
Rising UK Food Prices Spark Concern
The steep increase in Freddo prices has sparked concerns about the rising cost of living in the UK, with many claiming that even simple pleasures have become unaffordable.
While some argue that the bar’s price has increased disproportionately, others point out that, relative to minimum wage, the Freddo has actually become less expensive over time.
Mondelēz International Responds to Criticism
Mondelēz International, the owner of Cadbury, attributed the price hike to increased manufacturing and supply chain costs over the past 50 years.
The company assured consumers that it has absorbed these costs wherever possible, making adjustments to list prices or multipack sizes to maintain the bar’s quality and taste.