Cadbury's, amongst the oldest and most respected chocolate manufacturers in the world, were at the centre of a row today over their decision to produce a new chocolate bar named after the present economic crisis.
The "Credit Crunch", according to promotional material, will be "a tasty, chocolatey piece of escapism from harsh economic realities". The bar will be encased in "thick milk chocolate", but it's signature taste will come from "a tough, nougat-based centre that will bite as hard as the unremitting economic misery".
Responses varied amongst a select group of journalists and industry insiders who were present at a private tasting session this morning.
Biting into her "Credit Crunch", food writer Amanda Fawkes, 35, nodded appreciatively. "Mmm" she said, happily. "The "Credit Crunch" is a very pleasing chocolate bar in it's own right. Where it really scores, however, is in its cutting analogy to the present economic times. The lavish chocolate exterior, of course, parodies the spending excesses of the boom years. However, scratch beneath the surface, only a little, and you find the harsh, nougaty contrast of current times. The analogy continues, right the way through to how you throw the shiny wrapper away, like so many redundant workers".
Not all commentators were so impressed. Journalist Nathan Carroll called the bar "irresponsible", and was worried by the precedent. "What next?" he demanded. "Gaza Goodies, with an explosive sherbet interior? Or maybe Taleban Toffees?"
"It is an insult to hard-working folk" claimed Tim Toogood, spokesman for the TGWU. "Many people have lost their jobs, their respect and their dignity in the credit crunch, and they will not feel any happier by seeing these chocolate bars in their local newsagents."
A Cadbury spokeswoman responded by saying "Our Credit Crunch bars will retail at just 30p, enabling even the jobless to afford one, in the hope that it will inject a small ray of sunlight into their shattered lives. Plus, on opening the bar, you will see a competition in which three lucky winners will receive immunity from household repossession for the next two years!"
Cadbury's "Credit Crunch" will be available from all good confectioners next week.
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