Social Media Outrage Over Costly Favorite Chocolates: Consumer Backlash on Facebook Comments

Okay, I’ve analyzed the HTML snippet you provided. Here’s a breakdown of what it represents,focusing on the image and related content:

Overall Structure

This code appears to be part of an article or blog post on a website (likely a Quebec-based news/media site – “quebecormedia.com”). It includes embedded images (photos) with associated captions and perhaps links to related articles.

Image Details (two instances)

The code shows two image blocks, both following a similar structure. Let’s break down the key parts within each:

element: This is a modern HTML element designed for responsive images. It allows the browser to choose the most appropriate image source based on screen size (viewport width).
elements: These define different image sources for different screen sizes. Each source has:
data-srcset: Specifies the URL of the image to use and the viewport width it’s intended for (e.g., “https://…jpg?impolicy=crop-resize&x=0&y=0&w=680&h=127&width=925 1x, https://…jpg?impolicy=crop-resize&x=0&y=0&w=680&h=127&width=1850 2x” media=”(min-width: 1390px)”)
media: A media query that specifies the conditions for when to use the image (e.g., (min-width: 1390px) means “use this image if the viewport width is 1390 pixels or greater”).
1x, 2x: These indicate the device pixel ratio. 1x is for standard resolution displays, and 2x is for high-resolution (Retina) displays, meaning the image will be twice the size.
: this is the actual tag.
class="lazyload": Indicates the image is likely being loaded using a lazy-loading technique (improves page performance by only loading images when they are visible in the viewport).
src: The URL of the default image to load (usually a medium-sized version).
alt: The option text for the image (important for accessibility). It’s currently empty in both instances.
tag: The images are wrapped in an anchor () tag with data-fancybox="photo" data-type="image". This suggests that clicking on the image will open it in a lightbox (Fancybox is a popular javascript lightbox library).

: Provides the credit for the image. In this case,it’s “Capture / Facebook SPOTTED MARDE SERVICE”.Key Observations & Potential Issues

Image URLs: The image urls all point to files hosted on m1.quebecormedia.com. The URLs include query parameters like impolicy=crop-resize, x=0, y=0, w=..., h=..., and width=..., which are likely used for image resizing and cropping on the server.
missing Alt Text: The alt attribute is empty for both images.This is a bad practice for accessibility. The alt text should provide a brief description of the image’s content for users who cannot see it.
Responsive Images: The use of the element and the source tags demonstrates good practice for delivering responsive images optimized for different screen sizes.
Lazy Loading: The lazyload class suggests that the images are not loaded promptly, which can improve initial page load time.
Related Article: The

section shows a link to related article.In Summary

The code is a well-structured block for displaying responsive images within a web article. The key improvement needed is to add descriptive alt text to the tags for better accessibility. The use of responsive images and lazy loading is good for performance.

If you have further questions about specific parts of the code, feel free to ask! Also, if you’d like me to help you generate suitable alt text based on the context of the article, please provide more information about the article’s topic.

What factors are contributing to the current surge in cocoa prices, and how are these impacting chocolate manufacturers?

The Rising Cost of Cocoa & chocolate Prices

Recent weeks have seen a important surge in social media complaints, especially on Facebook, regarding the escalating prices of popular chocolate brands. Consumers are voicing their frustration over what they perceive as “shrinkflation” – receiving less chocolate for the same price – and outright price hikes on their favorite treats. This isn’t simply about a few extra cents; many beloved chocolate bars have seen price increases of 10-25% or more. The core driver? A dramatic increase in cocoa prices.

Global cocoa futures have soared, reaching record highs in 2024 and continuing to fluctuate in 2025. This is largely attributed to adverse weather conditions in West Africa, specifically Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, which collectively produce around 60% of the world’s cocoa. Flooding and disease have severely impacted cocoa bean yields, creating a supply shortage. Terms like “cocoa crisis” and “chocolate inflation” are trending as consumers grapple with the new reality.

Facebook as a Battleground for Consumer Complaints

Facebook groups and brand pages have become focal points for this consumer backlash. Here’s a breakdown of common themes emerging from Facebook comments:

Price Shock: Users are posting photos comparing current prices to those from just months ago, expressing disbelief at the increases.Hashtags like #ChocolateGate and #PriceHike are gaining traction.

Shrinkflation Accusations: Many are pointing out that not only are prices rising, but the size of the chocolate bars themselves is shrinking. This perceived deception is fueling anger.

Brand Loyalty Questioned: Long-time fans of specific brands are stating they are actively seeking alternatives or reducing their chocolate consumption altogether. Comments frequently include phrases like “I’m switching to [competitor brand]” or “This is ridiculous, I can’t afford this anymore.”

Calls for transparency: Consumers are demanding greater transparency from chocolate manufacturers regarding the reasons for the price increases and the impact of cocoa shortages.

Memes & Humor: Alongside the serious complaints, a wave of memes and humorous posts are circulating, reflecting the collective frustration and the perceived luxury status chocolate is now taking on.

Impact on Chocolate Manufacturers & Retailers

The price increases aren’t solely impacting consumers. Chocolate manufacturers are facing difficult decisions:

Absorbing Costs: some companies are attempting to absorb some of the increased cocoa costs, impacting their profit margins.

Downsizing Products: As seen with numerous brands,reducing the size of chocolate bars while maintaining the price is a common strategy.

Reformulating Recipes: A less visible tactic is to adjust recipes,potentially using less cocoa and more alternative ingredients. This can affect the taste and quality of the chocolate.

Passing Costs to Consumers: The most direct approach, and the one generating the most social media outrage, is to increase prices.

Retailers are also feeling the pressure.They are navigating the challenge of maintaining customer loyalty while dealing with higher wholesale costs. Some are offering promotions or discounts on specific chocolate products to mitigate the impact.

Real-World Examples of Consumer Reactions

Several instances highlight the intensity of the consumer response:

Cadbury’s Facebook Page: Cadbury’s UK Facebook page experienced a surge in negative comments following a price increase on its Dairy Milk bars. users accused the company of “greed” and threatened to boycott the brand.

Hershey’s Social Media: Similar backlash occurred on hershey’s social media channels, with consumers expressing disappointment and questioning the company’s pricing strategy.

Online Petitions: Several online petitions have been launched, calling on chocolate manufacturers to reconsider their price increases and maintain product sizes.

The future of Chocolate Pricing: What to Expect

experts predict that high cocoa prices are likely to persist for the foreseeable future. Factors contributing to this outlook include:

Climate Change: The increasing frequency of extreme weather events in cocoa-growing regions poses a long-term threat to supply.

Sustainability Concerns: Growing awareness of unsustainable cocoa farming practices is putting pressure on manufacturers to invest in more ethical and environmentally friendly sourcing.

Demand Growth: Global demand for chocolate continues to rise, particularly in emerging markets.

Consumers can expect to see continued price volatility and potentially further increases in the cost of their favorite chocolates.

Benefits of Understanding the Situation

Informed Purchasing Decisions: Knowing the reasons behind the price increases allows consumers to make more informed choices about their chocolate