But what about the cow? Splendid chocolate is back on the shelves

6 months have passed since the salmonella affair in "Elite" chocolate hit the headlines, which led to the freezing of production at the company's factories in Nof HaGalil, and still, brands that return to the shelves are produced in outsourced factories. Strauss, which stated as early as last August that it would gradually return to operating its factories in accordance with the guidelines, approvals and supervision of the Ministry of Health, reports today on the return of the premium brand "Splendid" which will go back on the shelves in Israel today, but is manufactured in Europe.

In the near future, the production of Splendid chocolate will take place at the Barry Kalibo factory in Germany and the casting at the Kimes factory in Belgium. In the future, production is planned to return to the chocolate factory in Nof HaGalil in Israel.

The Splendid brand, which reappears on the shelves today, returns with a new recipe developed by Strauss people together with Barry Kalibo, the German cocoa company. In the first phase, two products from the series return to the shelf: 70% cocoa solids and 85% cocoa solids, which originate from the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.

Shiri Birman, the marketing manager of the sweets division: "We are happy to relaunch the premium brand - Splendid. The food technologists of Strauss together with the people of the cocoa company Barry Kalibo worked together in the last months to reach a taste profile that is most similar to the familiar taste. Today we are proud to bring to our consumer audience a product with high-quality raw materials and with a rich and deep taste."

The product will be marketed as a limited edition and is created with a new recipe in an outsourced factory and is therefore not suitable for celiacs.

The product is clearly marked on the front of the package and does not have the familiar flower symbol on it. It also has changes in allergens.

According to Stornext data (2021), the market value of the chocolate bars category is estimated at approximately NIS 550 million, with the premium segment accounting for approximately NIS 115 million and the Splendid brand being the leading brand in the segment with a 40% market share.

And what about cow chocolate you ask?

According to the predictions and the words of insiders: "We are stockpiling stocks and the products will begin to gradually return to the market in the coming weeks." We will wait and see.