Mars Bar shrinks compared to 1991 version
A comparison shows that the Mars Bar has shrunk in size relative to its 1991 version, highlighting ongoing shrinkflation in confectionery products.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A chance discovery in a hoarded house in Scunthorpe has reignited the debate over shrinkflation, after a woman found a Mars Bar from 1991 that is noticeably larger than the current version. Vicky, who works for a specialist cleaning company, stumbled on the vintage chocolate bar while clearing a property that was filled floor to ceiling with items. She described it as looking "enormous" compared to today's Mars Bars, and posted a video online that has since been viewed more than a million times.
The comparison is stark. The 1991 Mars Bar weighs 62.5 grams, while the modern version weighs just 40 grams. It is also a whole centimetre shorter and has a considerably smaller girth. Vicky said she remembers selection boxes from her childhood feeling much more substantial, and the find proves that chocolate bars really have shrunk over the decades.
Mars has responded to the attention, saying that the smaller bar is a deliberate move to keep the product affordable, given the soaring costs of ingredients. The company's explanation follows a broader trend across the confectionery industry, where many products have reduced in size while prices have remained the same or even increased. This phenomenon, known as shrinkflation, has become a growing concern for consumers who feel they are getting less for their money.
Vicky has not decided what to do with the antique Mars Bar, but she has confirmed that she will not be eating it. The discovery serves as a tangible reminder of how portion sizes have changed, and has sparked a wider conversation about the true cost of everyday treats.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| A 1991 Mars Bar weighed 62.5 grams, while the modern version weighs 40 grams. | |
| Mars said the smaller bar is to keep it affordable due to rising ingredient costs. | |
| The modern Mars Bar is a centimetre shorter and has a smaller girth. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focuses on the human interest and nostalgia angle, leading with the finder's story and the viral nature of the discovery. It provides specific measurements of the two bars and includes Mars' official justification for the smaller size, balancing consumer frustration with corporate reasoning. The tone is light and accessible, with a hint of bemusement at the shrinking chocolate bars.
- “Look at the size of this Mars Bar from 1991.”
- “Well, the antique bar weighs in at 62.5 grams while the modern version only weighs 40 grams and is a whole centimetre shorter.”
- “Mars says a smaller bar keeps it affordable given the soaring prices of ingredients.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.