Nestlé reported that approximately 413,793 KitKat bars totaling about 12 tons were stolen after leaving a production facility in Italy en route to Poland earlier this month.

According to the company, the truck carrying the shipment disappeared during transport, and both the vehicle and its cargo remain unaccounted for. The chocolate bars were intended for distribution across European markets.

Nestlé warned that the stolen products could surface through unauthorized sales channels, but said safeguards are in place to track them. Each bar is marked with a unique batch code that allows retailers, wholesalers, and consumers to identify whether a product is part of the missing shipment.

A spokesperson for KitKat said scanning the batch number will alert users if the product is linked to theft and provide instructions for reporting it. The company noted that this traceability system is designed to help contain the impact and assist authorities if the goods reappear on the market.

In a statement, KitKat acknowledged the unusual nature of the crime while emphasizing a broader concern facing the industry. “Whilst we appreciate the criminals’ exceptional taste, the fact remains that cargo theft is an escalating issue for businesses of all sizes,” the company said.

Nestlé added that increasingly sophisticated theft operations are becoming more common, prompting the company to speak publicly about the incident in hopes of raising awareness across the supply chain.

The case remains under investigation as the company and authorities work to locate the missing shipment and prevent its distribution.