Cadbury criticised for selling chocolate biscuit selection containing just eight per box

Meagre assortment gifted to Birmingham school teacher as Christmas present from pupil disappoints recipient and sparks consumer outcry

The offending Cadbury Biscuit Assortment box ( SWNS)

Cadbury have been accused of short changing customers and wasting packaging after selling a variety box of treats - with just eight biscuits inside.

Pictures and video posted on social media show one disgruntled customer opening the "Cadbury Biscuit Assortment" after receiving it as a gift.

The customer’s wife, who works as a teacher, was given the box by one of her pupils before Christmas.

The husband, from Birmingham, who does not want to be named for fear of embarrassing the pupil, said: “Cadbury’s are quite literally taking the biscuit.

“It was a box given to my wife from one of her pupils at Christmas which was a lovely gesture.

“We saved the biscuits until after Christmas and we sat down with a glass of red wine and thought we'd open it up and tuck in.

“I saw eight biscuits and thought they would be double-stacked.

“To my amazement it was just one biscuit in each compartment.

“What angered me was the plastic tray inside the box had been built up by at least an inch to make it look like it was deeper than what it actually was.

“Looking at the depth of the box, a customer would think there were lots of biscuits in there. It’s not just a waste of packaging but quite misleading to the customer.”

The box measures 21cm by 21cm, with a depth of just under 3.5cm.

According to website Cadbury Gifts Direct, the box is a “107g Cadbury Biscuit Assortment Box - Cadbury Milk Chocolate Biscuits in seven varieties.”

The description, which is incorrect because there are actually eight biscuits in the box, states: “A scrumptious Cadbury chocolate biscuit selection.

“A Cadbury box with seven biscuit flavours to choose from!

“Chocolate Chip Cookie, Vanilla Crisp, Half Coated Shortie, Milk Triangle, Hazelnut Flavour Crispette, Crunchy Milk Ring and Simply Shortcake.”

Other dissatisfied customers left reviews of the confectionery gift online.

One person who left a one-star review on Amazon said: “I bought this item but didn't realise the picture is all you get - one of each biscuit, there are actually eight biscuits in a box, not what I was expecting.“

Twitter user Tom P said: “Trade descriptions Cadbury! Full-sized box to house eight measly biccies. Sadbury more like!”

Cadbury was sold to US giant Kraft Foods for a reported £11.5 billion in 2010.

It is now part of global snacks business Mondelez.

Since the takeover, the company has been accused of betraying the principles of its Quaker founders, including the axing of its commitment to use Fairtrade chocolate.

Customers have also complained of changes to the taste of some of Cadbury's most iconic snacks.

SWNS