Introduction to the Freddo
The Freddo chocolate bar has become a symbol of the UK economy, with its price increases being used as a measure of the cost of living. The bar was created by Harry Melbourne in 1930, when he was just 14 years old, and was originally sold for a penny. Today, the price of a Freddo can be as high as £1, which has led to widespread criticism and memes tracking its price increases.
The Origin Story
Harry Melbourne’s daughter, Leonie Wadin, has shared her father’s story and his creation of the Freddo. She said that her father was disgusted by the current price and size of the chocolate bar, and that he would be "rolling over in his grave" if he knew how expensive it had become. Leonie has vowed never to buy a Freddo again, citing the high price and small size of the bar.
The Numbers
Despite the outrage over the price of a Freddo, the numbers suggest that the bar is still relatively affordable. In 1999, the minimum wage was £3.60, and a Freddo cost 10p. Today, the minimum wage is £12.21, and a Freddo costs at least 30p. This means that the purchasing power of the minimum wage has actually increased, and that a Freddo is still a relatively cheap treat.
Inflation and Price Increases
However, when looking at inflation, the picture is different. If the price of a Freddo had increased in line with inflation, it would cost around 21p today, not 30p or 35p. The increase in price can be attributed to the rising costs of ingredients such as cocoa and sugar, which have increased by 750% and 250% respectively since the turn of the century.
Emotion, Not Maths
The outrage over the price of a Freddo is not just about the numbers, but about the sentiment and emotion attached to the bar. For many people, the Freddo is a nostalgic treat that evokes memories of childhood. The fact that it now costs £1, and that you can only buy three or four bars for that price, is seen as unfair and a symbol of the rising cost of living.
Freddo Gets Political
The Freddo has even become a political issue, with one MP launching a petition to reduce the price of the bar to 5p. While the petition may have been a light-hearted attempt to engage young people in politics, it highlights the emotional attachment that people have to the Freddo and the symbolism of its price increases.
Legacy and Conclusion
For Leonie Wadin, the legacy of the Freddo is important, and she wants her family to continue to cherish the story of her father’s creation. Despite her grievances over the price and size of the bar, she recognizes the enduring popularity of the Freddo and its place in British culture. As she said, "Freddo is never going to die… it will always be there." The story of the Freddo serves as a reminder that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant things can have a profound impact on our emotions and our perceptions of the world around us.
What Cadbury Has to Say
Mondelez International, the owner of Cadbury, has responded to the criticism over the price of the Freddo. The company acknowledges that the manufacturing and supply chain costs have increased significantly over the past 50 years, but says that it has absorbed these costs wherever possible. The company also notes that the Freddo has endured in popularity across generations and remains a key part of Cadbury’s range today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Freddo chocolate bar has become a symbol of the UK economy and a measure of the cost of living. While the numbers suggest that the bar is still relatively affordable, the emotional attachment that people have to the Freddo means that its price increases are seen as unfair and a symbol of the rising cost of living. The story of the Freddo serves as a reminder that even the smallest things can have a profound impact on our emotions and our perceptions of the world around us.
