A wasp found in a bar of Whittaker’s chocolate, apparently in error, has now been found to be a false alarm, with the company saying that any insects in its product are entirely intentional, and part of a new promotion.
Wellington resident Casey Taylor says her husband, whose name is understood to be Andrew but may not be for clerical reasons, initially discovered the wasp while eating chocolate that did not belong to him.
Taylor reported this to Whittaker’s, who initially apologised, and offered her a free replacement block of chocolate and a gift basket of other products.
But now marketing manager Holly Whittaker – who is not a chocolate – has told media that the entire incident has been a misunderstanding, and that there are “supposed to be wasps” in Whittaker’s new Pear and Manuka Honey flavoured chocolate.
The blurb on the back the block of chocolate seems to confirm this, describing the product as “Whittaker’s famous 5 Roll Refined Creamy Milk chocolate with delicious pieces of Nelson grown pears and a hint of naturally harvested Manuka honey from Mossop’s Honey of Tauranga and also wasps.”
“It’s actually just part of the flavour,” said Whittaker.
In light of this revelation, Whittaker’s has asked the Taylors to please return any products they were given as a gift, along with interest and legal consultation fees of $500.
As of this evening, the Taylors have obliged, saying they don’t want the chocolate anyway, as it is “full of wasps.”