Ice cream makers behind Fab lollies launch investigation - after shoppers claim prized chocolate section has been secretly shrunk
The ice cream makers behind the iconic Fab lollies have launched an investigation after furious shoppers claimed the chocolate section has been shrunk on the sly.
Keen-eyed fans of the traditional summer treat say they bought lollies where the chocolate and sprinkle bit at the top was a full centimetre smaller than it should be.
Fab makers Nestle have waded in on the argument, saying all three sections should be exactly the same size.
And the producers of the ice cream are taking the less than Fab-ulous situation very seriously, even launching a probe into the case of the shrinking chocolate.
A Fab lolly next to a tape measure, showing that the top third is too small
A Fab lolly posted on a blog which shows that the top part is much smaller than the middle
Keen-eyed fans of the traditional summer treat say they bought lollies where the chocolate and sprinkle bit at the top was a full centimetre smaller than it should be
Ice cream lovers have posted pictures online showing their wonky lollies and engaging in speculation.
In many, the top of the ice cream appears to be puny in size compared to the other two red and white sections.
Often the white bit in the middle is larger than the other two bits and finding one with a bigger top half is almost impossible.
It has led to claims the historic lolly's owners have secretly reduced the amount of chocolate and sprinkles they put on, with accusations of shrinkflation - something they vehemently deny.
Fabs are one of Britain's oldest ice lollies and celebrated their 57th birthday this summer.
They have been enjoyed by generations of children and adults and were introduced in May 1967 by J. Lyons & Co.
The lolly consists of strawberry fruit ice and cream with the top portion dipped in chocolate and coated with sugar strands and packs of six cost around £2.50.
One fuming fan took to Reddit to discuss the issue. She said: 'The chocolate on top of a Fab lolly has shrunk! Scandalous!'
Ice cream lovers have posted pictures online showing their wonky lollies
Pictured left: A Fab lolly taken from Wiki - the bottom is larger than the other two sections. Right: Nestle's own picture of how a Fab should look - although even here the top half is slightly larger than the middle
The packaging of a Fab lolly where the proportions should be equal
One poster replied: 'I had one this week and the bit at the top was centimetres smaller than it should have been.
'I think they're the latest classic to fall victim to shrinkflation.
'It's so disappointing when you devour the top bit in five seconds.'
Another Reddit poster said: 'I'm sure FAB ice lollies are smaller than they used to be.'
Just a few months ago, Joshua Sofaer blogged a comparison of a UK Fab with Norwegian version Diplom-Is' Sitting Original, which was introduced in 2008.
Pictures he posted of his Fab show how small the top part is compared to the other two bits.
The Fab aficionado said: 'Over years of experimentation, I have endeavoured various methodologies to actualise the desire to defer the consummation of the most delectable portion, until the conclusion.
'These have included the meticulous nibbling of the ice, ascending towards the milk, and tenaciously grasping the sprinkle-encrusted section as it invariably detaches, occasionally with calamitous outcomes.
'I have resorted to the severance of the apex, its subsequent preservation in the freezer, the consumption of the residual lolly, followed by a return to the excised section to finalise the experience, thereby inverting the potential anti-climax.
'However, these intricate consumption rituals invariably yield dissatisfaction.'
Ice cream company Froneri produce all of Nestle's lollies and ice creams in the UK.
A spokesman said: 'At Froneri we take quality very seriously and aim to delight consumers with our products and we are sorry to learn that someone has not received a product that meets our standards.
'We haven't made any changes to the size of Fab or any of its three sections.
'A Fab lolly should have three equally sized sections: strawberry at the bottom, vanilla milk ice in the middle and chocolate with sprinkles at the top.
'We are investigating this with our technical team, in order to address it from occurring going forwards.'
