While en route to Poland, a truck carrying 12 tons of KitKat bars was intercepted, resulting in the disappearance of 413,794 chocolate-coated wafers.
Nestle, owner of the KitKat brand, confirmed the loss in a statement to AFP Saturday. The company said “a truck transporting 413,794 units” of the chocolate candy was stolen in transit.
“We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat,” a company spokesperson told AFP. “But it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tonnes of our chocolate.”
The company added that the theft could lead to a “shortage of KitKats” and acknowledged that “consumers, unfortunately, may struggle to find their favourite chocolates ahead of Easter.”
The chocolatier said it is working with local authorities and supply chain partners to investigate the heist. Nestle noted it is possible to trace the stolen chocolates through the batch’s unique bar code on each bar.
“If a match is found, the scanner will be given clear instructions on how to alert KitKat who will then share the evidence appropriately,” the company’s statement continued.
In response to the theft, Domino’s Pizza in the U.K. expressed its condolences and used the moment to announce its latest chocolate-forward pizza.
Several other companies took to social media to make it clear they played no part in the heist.
Some users speculated on the motivation behind the heist and what the thieves might do with their newfound chocolate wealth.