Help me solve the mystery of the disappearing food!

[QueenofQuirkiness]

I have 3 teenage DCs aged 13-almost 16, and many cupboards with food in. Over the past few months, lots of food, most notably treats such as biscuits or ice cream, have been going missing completely. I'm not talking about someone taking a few biscuits or one packet of crisps, but whole boxes of cereal and tubs of ice cream are completely disappearing. I am fairly sure that only one of my DC is the culprit because each time we discover dessert is missing they all seem annoyed and want to find out who it is...but evidently there's someone taking food. I've tried subtly telling them to privately confess to me, shouting, threatening to ban any treats, ignoring it, but nothing is seeming to work. All three DC's are skinny things so it's not as if there is physical evidence of food stealing but I am reaching the end of my tether with the deception. Short of searching bedrooms, bins or banning any treats (which I feel is unfair as they don't eat too many and I'm not a fan of collective punishment) I don't know what to do to stop this. Suggestions?

Buy one each of their favourite ice cream or biscuits and hide em.
The flavour that goes first is the culprit.
it's the stoner

I have three teen DCs too (14, 15, 17) and the same happens here. A packet of biscuits is full one day, an empty wrapper the next. I have just decided to live with it and buy fewer treats (or scoff on myself pronto! :))

Are there wrappers in the bin? It's hard to think of a whole cereal box disappearing! Do they have friends round who take things? I had that with one of my daughter's friends.

Could they be taking food for a friend?

I only have one DC so I always know who the culprit it. However, the evidence is usually to be found under his bed. How is the packaging being disposed of or not?

Set up a camera in the kitchen

Buy liquid that glows under UV light but is otherwise invisible. Liberally apply to items at risk. Brief husband not to touch them. Closely monitor items. When item disappears scan DCs with UV light.

DoubleHelix79. Then get a light and shine it in their eyes until you get a full confession.

Oh my
I never thought about the possibility of the food being taken for a friend...I will ask each DC about that. I don't know what happens to the packaging, more often than not there are empty boxes or packets in the bin, but sometimes food just goes and it is as if it has vanished into thin air! Kitchen camera would actually be a good idea, as is tactical treat buying to find out who seems to have a food addiction

ImperialBlether - I like your style!

Whilst I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, my professional background is eating disorders so I'd be naturally suspicious of any binge / purge behaviours which would allow them to remain at a low body weight but consume huge quantities of binge foods (often crisps / sweets) over short periods of time. I sincerely hope it isn't but just something to think about as people often miss the bulimic aspect of eating disorders and secret eating is a key feature x

Try and ask in a neutral way, rather than an irritated way. They a re more likely to own up if you are solving a mystery rather than identifying the miscreant!

I too would be thinking about bulimia because presumably you notice these things missing almost right away so whole boxes and tubs are being consumed very quickly. So it's not just hungry teens but secretive rapid eating of large quantities.