Nestlé has confirmed the theft of a large shipment of its KitKat bars in Europe, raising concerns about possible shortages ahead of the Easter season.

The company disclosed on Saturday that a truck carrying 413,793 units of its newly launched chocolate range was stolen while in transit between production and distribution points. The missing shipment, which weighed about 12 tonnes, reportedly disappeared last week.

According to the company, the truck had departed central Italy and was en route to Poland, with plans to distribute the products across several European countries along the route.

Nestlé said the vehicle and its cargo have not been located, adding that investigations are ongoing in collaboration with local authorities and supply chain partners.

The company warned that the theft could disrupt supply, noting that consumers may find it difficult to purchase the chocolate bars in stores as Easter approaches.

It also raised concerns that the stolen products could be diverted into unauthorised markets across Europe.

To help track the missing items, Nestlé said each chocolate bar carries a unique batch code that can be scanned for identification. It explained that anyone who detects a matching code would receive instructions on how to report it, enabling the company to take appropriate action.

The company did not disclose the exact location where the theft occurred.