Ferrero announces plans to relaunch Butterfinger bar in February

Ferrero has announced plans to relaunch its Butterfinger bar in February, focussing on quality ingredients, while keeping the cost to the consumer at the same level.

The Italian manufacturer, whose products also include Nutella and Ferrero Rocher, announced the changes at Christmas time in an effort to leverage growth in the iconic US brand in what it a competitive candy space.

Real ingredients

Butterfinger’s new recipe follows growing consumer demand for real ingredients and better quality and will include peanuts that are roasted in-house as well as a higher percentage of cocoa and milk in the chocolate coating. Ferrero has also pledged to cut other ingredients including the preservative TBHQ and hydrogenated oils.

Kristen Mandel, a senior director of marketing at Ferrero-owned Ferrara, told Business Insider the company began its overhaul of Butterfinger immediately after the company completed the $2.8bn takeover from Nestlé​ last April.

"The priority is really bringing Butterfinger back into the spotlight as a modern-day icon, because it hadn't gotten the attention it warrants in recent years​," she said. "We're excited to have all the resources and investment to put behind it​."

The bar’s wrapping will also receive a makeover with a brighter yellow design and double-layered to prevent the candy from becoming stale.

Ferrero's revamped Butterfinger bar will hit shelves in February, Business Insider reported, with the company launching a substantial advertising push, representing significant investment in the candy brand.