Festive shoppers who have purchased a box of Cadbury's Milk Tray are furious after claiming the chocolates taste strange.
Certain varieties of the seasonal family favourite were quietly pulled from shelves as the festive season approached after it was flagged that the packaging was having an effect on its taste.
However, there are concerns that those who already purchased the chocolates could gift a bad batch to someone during Christmas celebrations this week.
Boxes bought before November 2 are a "food quality issue", according to a spokesman for the world's second largest confectionery brand.
Cadbury's is owned by Mondelez and has withdrawn both 180g and 360g versions of the chocolate box recently.
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Some customers took to social media to warn others of their recent poor experiences with the product.
One shopper Julia said: "Do not buy Cadbury's Milk Tray chocolates.
"I just ate one and tasted like chemicals and plastic.
"I looked on trust pilot everyone's saying the same thing.
"Sort it out Cadbury's."
Nigel Cummings added: "Given some Cadbury's Milk Tray, opened and ate three. Vile, went in bin.
"Why do food companies flood our market with c*ap these days?"
Sabrina Joyce-Kemper said: "Today opened a within date box of Cadbury's milk tray and it tasted like chemicals.
"The kids had laid in and had two each which they spat out."
A spokesman for Mondelez International said: "We have taken the decision to withdraw Milk Tray 180g & 360g products chocolates from retailers in the UK with immediate effect.
"This is due to a food quality issue, whereby we have identified that the cardboard packaging is in some instances not performing as it should and over several months can affect the taste and therefore enjoyment of the chocolates.
"Whilst there is no food safety concern, we believe that withdrawing the product is the right thing to do as we are committed to producing and selling only the best quality products, and regretfully on this occasion we have not met our own high standards.
"We are in the process of changing the packaging and producing new stock for our retailers.
"We apologise to our retailers and consumers for any inconvenience and disappointment caused, and please rest assured that other Milk Tray formats (specifically 78g and 530g products) are not affected by this packaging issue, nor any other Mondelez products."
