Shrinkflation: How Manufacturers of Various Products Steal From Us "Unnoticed"

Modern manufacturers are increasingly resorting to the practice of reducing the volume or weight of goods while maintaining the same price. This phenomenon, known as shrinkflation (from the English shrink - "to reduce" and inflation - "inflation"), is a strategy of hidden increase in the cost of products.

The most striking examples of the above phenomenon are observed in the food industry. Dairy products are now often packaged in 900-950 ml packages instead of the traditional liter, the weight of cereals has been reduced from 500 to 450 g, standard chocolate bars have been reduced from 100 to 80 g. Particularly indicative is the case of Toblerone chocolate, where in 2016 the manufacturer increased the gaps between the pieces, reducing the product's weight by 12% at an unchanged cost.



Historical precedents show that shrinkflation is not a new phenomenon. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, American fast food chains offset rising prices by adding onions to their meat products. During the oil crisis of the 1970s, chewing gum manufacturers began producing balls with hollow cores to save on raw materials.

Modern corporations use more sophisticated methods: maintaining the external dimensions of the packaging, changing its depth or adding additional layers. In the aviation industry, this practice manifests itself in reducing the portions of in-flight meals in order to reduce the weight of the aircraft.

Legislation in most countries does not formally prohibit shrinkflation, provided that the changed product parameters are clearly indicated on the packaging. However, this practice has drawn criticism from consumer organizations, who note that the average buyer rarely pays attention to technical specifications, focusing primarily on the visual perception of the packaging and the price tag.

It is difficult to combat this harmful phenomenon, but it is possible. It is enough to look carefully at the weight and volume indicated on the packaging, compare prices per kilogram or liter. If you notice deception, you can file a complaint against the manufacturer or simply boycott its products. Collective indignation sometimes forces companies to return to previous standards, but in fairness it should be noted that this does not happen very often.