Nestlé Peppermint Crisp shortage crisis? Here’s what’s going on

Do not fear. Rumours of a Nestlé Peppermint Crisp chocolate shortage are not true and you can still make your favourite dessert for now. 

Whilst some people were dishing up peppermint crisp tart – considered in some quarters in South Africa as the national dessert over the Heritage Day long weekend – some consumers noticed a lack of stock. 

Zweli Mnisi, head of public relations at Nestlé, confirmed that there is a “slight shortage” of Peppermint Crisp slabs.

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“On product availability, due to a factory maintenance and upgrade process at our East London factory, there was a slight stock shortage. However, the product is now available on shelves. We, therefore, apologise to our consumers for any inconvenience as they could not find this much-loved product,” he said in a statement. 

Peppermint Crisp is quite loved. The mint-flavoured chocolate was created over 50 years ago by Rowntree’s. Nestlé bought the brand in 1989 and Peppermint Crisp has been part of many memories ever since. 

People on Twitter shared their preparations for making peppermint crisp tart during Heritage Month. 

There has been a persistent panic since July 2020 after reports that Peppermint Crisp was going to be discontinued. However, Nestlé denied this but consumers are still not fully convinced. 

The reports came after Chocolate Log “logged off” and Nestlé seems to be cleaning house on their chocolate range and “revamping”.

The new range includes Nestlé Kitkat Chunky Salted Caramel and Nestlé Chunky White. Milky Bar Double, Bar One Peanut and Milky Bar Peanut were discontinued in August 2020.

Nestlé said they were influenced by consumer feedback.

“We are making way for new, tastier and exciting products for you to enjoy and fall in love with – because you deserve it,” Nestlé’s consumer communication and marketing excellence director, Zumi Njongwe, said at the time.

Complied by Sandisiwe Mbhele