More than 12 tonnes of KitKat chocolate bars have been stolen from a lorry in a major highway robbery in Europe last week. The theft occurred on Thursday while the cargo was in transit from a Nestlé factory in central Italy to its destination in Poland.
The Swiss food giant confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, noting it is working with local authorities and supply chain partners on the investigation. "We can confirm that 12T of KitKat products were stolen," the company stated.
Special Edition Bars Targeted
The stolen cargo consisted not of regular KitKat bars, but of a special edition product shaped like Formula 1 cars. Nestlé announced its official partnership with the motor racing league in June 2024, launching these themed bars.
Several media outlets reported that the 12-tonne haul amounts to over 400,000 individual chocolate bars. Despite the scale of the theft, Nestlé assured that there are "no concerns for consumer safety, and supply is not affected."
Company Responds with Humour
In statements to various news organisations, Nestlé representatives responded to the crime with characteristic wit. "Whilst we appreciate the criminals' exceptional taste, the fact remains that cargo theft is an escalating issue for businesses of all sizes," a spokesperson told the LA Times.
Speaking to The Guardian, another spokesperson remarked: "We've always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat. But it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tonnes of our chocolate."
Financial Context
The theft comes as KitKat remains a crucial brand for Nestlé's confectionery division. In its full-year 2025 report, the company stated its confectionery business grew by 8.2% to 8.70 billion Swiss Francs (approximately $10.89 billion), a performance "led by KitKat sales."
Nestlé's share price has declined by more than 10% over the past year. The company's representatives did not respond to a subsequent request for comment from Business Insider.