Evaluating Claims About Cadbury’s Ingredients and Royal Warrant Status

When celebrities and popular people endorse food brands, those become popular quickly. When they abandon the endorsements, a lot of questions emerge about those brands. Cadbury Chocolates recently faced such a situation.

Social Media Posts 

Viral posts are being shared on social media, claiming that Cadbury’s products are no longer what they used to be and warning consumers to read the ingredients on each of their products. The post also explains that it should not be allowed to children. Further, the post discovered that the Cadbury chocolates had lost the endorsement of the English Royal Family after being left off the list of Royal Warrants in 2024. Are these concerns valid, or are they just rumours?

In this article, we will examine official ingredient lists, statements from Cadbury, and the latest records of the Royal Warrant.

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As it’s the first time the staple chocolate company has missed the Royal Warrant since 1854, and after 170 years of association with the British monarchy, we decided to conduct a fact-check on these claims.

Fact Check 

Claim 1: Changes in Cadbury’s Ingredients

Over the years, Cadbury has modified some of its ingredient’s list, leading to consumer observations and complaints about changes in taste and texture. Notable instances include:

1. In 2015, Creme Egg Recipe Change: In the UK, Cadbury altered the shell of its iconic Creme Egg from Dairy Milk chocolate (introduced in 1971) to a standard cocoa mix chocolate. This change led to significant consumer backlash and resulted in a loss of over £6 million in sales. However, in an interview with the BBC, a spokesman for Mondelez International (Cadbury’s parent company) stated, “The fundamentals of the Cadbury Creme Egg remain unchanged.” He further mentioned that they have always used a range of milk chocolate blends for different products.”

The spokesman added the eggs may have used Dairy Milk in its shell for years, but it has never been advertised as such. Read here. Mini Eggs are also made from standard traditional Cadbury milk chocolate. 

2. In 2019, Cadbury introduced a variant of its classic Dairy Milk bar containing 30% less sugar, aiming to offer a healthier option to consumers. All Reduced-sugar chocolate Products can be found here
3. In 2013, the inclusion of palm oil in Cadbury Eclairs led to severe consumer dissatisfaction, particularly in New Zealand. Then, the recipe change of Eclairs was later reversed. Read here. However, several food items, such as Cadbury Caramel Egg Milk Chocolate Eggs and Cadbury Chocolate Creme Egg Milk Chocolate Eggs, still contain palm oil in their products. Check the ingredient lists here

Read the Cadbury responses given to the BBC regarding the complaints of using palm oil here.

4. Additionally, in 2024, Cadbury introduced several plant-based vegan chocolate bars, reducing sugar and fat content by up to 75%, reflecting its ongoing efforts to adapt to health-conscious consumer trends. Read here and here

Claim 2: Loss of Royal Warrant Status

Cadbury held a Royal Warrant since 1854, signifying its role as a supplier to the British Royal family households. However, in December 2024, Cadbury was notably absent from King Charles III’s updated list of Royal Warrant holders, marking the end of a 170-year association. 

Read the latest list of royal warrant holders here.

The reasons for this decision were not officially disclosed. According to the official website of Royal Warrant, a Royal Warrant may be cancelled for several reasons, including if the product or service is no longer manufactured or available, if the goods or services are no longer required, or if orders have significantly declined. Additionally, a business may lose its warrant if it ceases trading, goes into liquidation, or is declared bankrupt. Another key factor that can lead to the cancellation of a Royal Warrant is a significant change in the control or ownership of the company holding the warrant. Read here

Thus, as the traditional procedure, Cadbury was informed of the decision by a letter without specific reasons. However, numerous rumours are spreading, such as geopolitical tensions, potential misalignment with King Charles’s preference for a healthy diet, and environmental and sustainability values. Read here

Claim 3: Do Cadbury chocolates contain anything harmful to children?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn’t recommend giving children under the age of 2 foods that contain caffeine or added sugar, both of which are found in chocolate and chocolate products. Read here and here. Furthermore, according to independent laboratory testing by As You Sow, which examined over 469 chocolate products, many of these chocolates contain toxic metals such as lead and cadmium. Lead is linked to a variety of neurological impairments, including learning disabilities, seizures, and a lower IQ. Thus, lead is not suitable for children at all. Read here

Thus, while Cadbury chocolates themselves are generally safe for children, concerns exist regarding potential exposure to toxic metals, such as lead and cadmium, in some chocolate products, including those from Cadbury. Read here

Conclusion

Cadbury has modified some of its ingredients over the years, such as switching the Creme Egg shell recipe, introducing reduced-sugar options, and incorporating plant-based alternatives. These changes align with industry trends and consumer preferences rather than indicating a decline in quality. Regarding the loss of its Royal Warrant, the exact reasons remain undisclosed, but this decision follows standard procedures and does not necessarily reflect negatively on the brand. Finally, while chocolate products, including some from Cadbury, may contain trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, regulatory agencies closely monitor these levels to ensure consumer safety.