Lindt, Hershey’s and General Mills have different opinions about
how chocolate fits into the diet plan of GLP-1 weight loss drug users.
Lindt said an internal study showed U.S. consumers who take GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are actually eating more,
not less, chocolate.
"They are upgrading to premium products. Less is more—small rewards with moments of bliss rather than mindless munching," Lindt CEO Adalbert Lechner
told reporters, according to The Grocer.
“Analysts at Berenberg had expected the introduction of oral GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to have an adverse effect on the food industry, particularly confectionery, over the next few
years,” according to Reuters. “They
anticipated a drag on sales volumes of 0.9 percentage point for Lindt in 2027.”
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The study was based on February data from research firm Circana.
Per Lindt,
U.S. sales of premium chocolate jumped by almost 17% for GLP-1 users last year, compared with the 6.5% increase for non-users, according to Inc.
Separately, General Mills CEO
Jeff Harmening said GLP-1 drugs are pushing some consumers "toward more nutrient-dense protein- and fiber-forward foods," according to Food Dive.
Hershey cited increasing GLP-1 use
as a "potential demand headwind" during its earnings call in February.