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Have you ever reached for your favorite cereal or bag of chips at the store only to find it feels...lighter? You're not imagining things. Shrinkflation, the sneaky practice of reducing product quantity while keeping the price the same (or even raising it!), is a growing concern for consumers. Here are some of the most extreme examples of shrinkflation recently reported from popular grocery stores:
General Mills Cereals
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A Consumer Reports investigation revealed several General Mills cereals have shrunk in size. For example, a box of Cocoa Puffs may now contain 18.1 ounces instead of the previous 19.3 ounces, a slight decrease but with a price increase in some regions.
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
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Kraft's iconic blue box has slimmed down in recent years. While the net weight remains listed at 7.25 ounces, some consumers have noticed the actual amount of pasta seems to fill less space in the box. According to a study by the American Package Coalition, the amount of pasta per box has decreased by about 7% over the past decade.
DiGiorno Pizzas
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Frozen pizza lovers haven't been spared. DiGiorno pizzas have reportedly shrunk from 14.5 ounces to 13.5 ounces, a noticeable difference for a single-serving pizza. This information is according to multiple news outlets.
Oreo Cookies
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The classic Oreo package may appear unchanged, but some reports suggest the cookies themselves have gotten thinner, offering less bang for your buck. Eagle-eyed consumers [invalid URL removed] have noticed the difference and reported it online.
Chobani Yogurt
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Chobani's popular Greek yogurt cups have shrunk from 6 ounces to 5.3 ounces, a 12% reduction. The price, however, has remained the same in most stores. The company confirmed this change in a statement to CNBC.
Jif Peanut Butter
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Jif is another culprit. Some jars have shrunk from 16 ounces to 15 ounces, a seemingly small change but one that adds up over time, especially for peanut butter lovers. A Buzzfeed article highlighted this reduction alongside photos.
Lays Potato Chips
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Lay's potato chips are a classic snack, but the bags may not be as hefty as they once were. While the net weight might say the same, some consumers have noticed fewer chips inside the bag. A consumer watchdog group reported that Lay's has used tactics like increasing the bag size slightly to make it seem like more chips are inside while the actual amount of chips has decreased.
Kellogg's Frosted Flakes
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Frosted Flakes haven't escaped the shrinkflation wave either. Boxes may now contain 11.3 ounces instead of the previous 12.3 ounces, a reduction that could leave you feeling a little less "fired up." Kellogg's has not officially commented on this specific reduction, but a Reuters report discusses the general trend of cereal box size reduction.
Charmin Toilet Paper
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Charmin's signature "family size" toilet paper rolls may have gotten shorter, forcing you to change them more frequently. Consumer Reports https://www.consumerreports.org/ conducted a study that showed Charmin's "family size" rolls decreased in length by about 10% between 2009 and 2021.
Campbell's Soup
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Campbell's soup cans have shrunk slightly in recent years, going from 15.5 ounces to 15 ounces. It may not seem like a lot, but it adds up, especially when you consider the price often stays the same. Campbell's has attributed this change to needing to use more sustainable and lightweight packaging, but some consumers remain skeptical.
Nature Valley Granola Bars
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Nature Valley granola bars are a popular grab-and-go snack, but the bars themselves may have shrunk in size, leaving you less satisfied. The exact measurements of the reduction are debated, but social media posts and online reviews like https://www.reddit.com/r/shrinkflation/comments/1bwqhqx/nature_valley_now_featuring_10_less_bar/ have highlighted the issue.
Dole Fruit Cups
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Dole fruit cups are a convenient way to get your daily dose of fruit, but some reports suggest the cup size has decreased while the price has stayed the same. The Dole website does not specify cup sizes, but some grocery price tracker apps show a decrease in the average weight of Dole fruit cups over the past two years.
Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing
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Hidden Valley Ranch lovers, beware! The iconic ranch dressing bottles may have shrunk slightly, offering less dressing for your buck. While the exact amount of reduction is unknown, several news outlets have reported on this phenomenon based on consumer observations.
