Valentine’s Day chocolate boxes misleading to some consumers this year

BOSTON — The heart-shaped box of chocolates you pick up ahead of Valentine’s Day may be less full than you think this year.

Edgar Dworsky, founder of Consumer World, said the issue of “overpackaging” was brought to his attention by one of his readers.

He said he quickly discovered what he calls a trend involving several brands including Russell Stover and Whitman’s.

Dworsky suspects brands are using bigger boxes to lead consumers to believe they are getting more for their money.

“We buy with our eyes. You see this relatively big box of chocolates, and you assume it’s full,” said the longtime Massachusetts consumer advocate. “The ones I checked were absolutely less than half full.”

The 9-inch-by-10-inch-size boxes contain between eight and eleven candy pieces.

The number of chocolates is featured in small font on the back of each box.

“I think it’s absolutely misleading,” said Dworsky. “‘You’ve got to not let the size of the box influence your purchase!”

Boston 25 News stopped a handful of people and asked if they could guess the number of chocolates inside a box of Russell Stover pecan delights.

There are eight pieces inside that particular box.

Those who were asked all guessed a higher number.

“I would have said 15,” said Brandon Vaughan. “That’s a little lighter than I would have guessed.”

Dworsky said the easiest way to clarify any confusion is to look at the net weight on the front of the packaging.

Russell Stover and Whitman’s are sold by the same Russell Stover Chocolates company.

The company has not yet responded to our request for comment.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group