Ritter Sport Faces Criticism Over 'Shrinkflation' in New 75g Chocolate Bars

German chocolate manufacturer Ritter Sport is facing backlash from consumer advocates for introducing new high-cocoa varieties weighing 75 grams instead of the traditional 100 grams. The Hamburg Consumer Advice Center accuses the company of engaging in 'shrinkflation,' a hidden price increase where product quantity is reduced while maintaining the same price point, effectively raising costs by over 33 percent. Although the new bars are thinner and feature distinct packaging, critics argue they replace previous cocoa classes with identical cocoa percentages. Ritter Sport rejects these allegations, stating the 75-gram format results from market research indicating a preference for thinner bars with high cocoa content, and that a 100-gram version would be prohibitively expensive. The controversy arises amidst broader industry trends of rising chocolate prices due to poor harvests in West Africa. This situation parallels ongoing legal disputes involving competitor Mondelez’s Milka brand, which faces lawsuits for similar packaging reductions. Despite recent drops in raw cocoa prices, Ritter Sport reported financial losses in 2025, highlighting the economic pressures influencing these strategic product changes.