Shrinking food packaging

[stracci2000]

Maybe they think we consumers don't notice, or maybe they think we don't care.
I was in a big grocery store today and thought I would take some photos of the shrinking products.

These containers now have a waist. Fancy design, less product inside.










And candy. Lots of plastic wrapping, very little substance. All individually wrapped. More plastic than chocolate.


Ice cream containers have gotten so small! Only 48 oz. I swear a baby could hold this ice cream package
Notice how rounded this container is. They are shaving off the corners to give us less product.


All the orange juice bottles have a long neck.
Remember when OJ was 64 ounces?
The cardboard cartons are now 56 oz. and getting smaller.


Candy now comes in a stand up bag containing about 9 oz. They used to be 12-14 oz. several years ago.
The stand up bag has more visibility, but far less product.

 

[dk168]

If the amount of content inside the packaging is as stated on the label, then I do not believe there is an issue.

Perhaps the manufacturers are trying to reduce the amount in their packaging, or changing the packaging to make their products more noticeable; etc. etc...

DK

 

[stracci2000]

If the amount of content inside the packaging is as stated on the label, then I do not believe there is an issue.

Perhaps the manufacturers are trying to reduce the amount in their packaging, or changing the packaging to make their products more noticeable; etc. etc...

DK

Yes, the content is stated on the label accurately. I'm not saying that they are lying about the contents. But visually, they are fooling us into accepting smaller contents of these products.
It is the manufacturers giving us less and less. And prices are rising.
I have worked in grocery for many years and it is a shame how the manufacturers are screwing us over.

 

[OdetteOdile]

Wow. It’s really startling when you see all these examples together.

 

[stracci2000]

Wow. It’s really startling when you see all these examples together.

Yeah, it's not just diamond shrinkage!
You see, I work in retail and I go into multiple groceries every day
I don't think the regular shopper is noticing it.
It is very disappointing what I see in the grocery stores these days.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

All I know is between gas over $4 a gallon here, the rising cost of groceries AND a teenage boy in the house, well we are definitely feeling the impact of inflation here!

 

[stracci2000]

All I know is between gas over $4 a gallon here, the rising cost of groceries AND a teenage boy in the house, well we are definitely feeling the impact of inflation here!

Yes, all true!
I am a frugal girl, and I've had to become more frugal. Like using cloth napkins, and keeping rags on hand for spills in order to cut back on paper towels.
I make my own vinaigrette instead of buying salad dressing. More home cooking, less prepared foods......stuff like that.

 

[tyty333]

Looks like the current rate of inflation is 8.5%... According to my grocery bills it should be higher.

 

[Lookinagain]

I am a frugal girl, and I've had to become more frugal. Like using cloth napkins, and keeping rags on hand for spills in order to cut back on paper towels.
I make my own vinaigrette instead of buying salad dressing. More home cooking, less prepared foods......stuff like that.

I'm not really frugal, but I do much of the same (cloth napkins, reusable fiber towels instead of paper, don't buy bottled dressing, have never really bought prepared foods) but I do it for the environment. So think of the positive side of what you are doing. I am not saying that inflation doesn't bother me. I pay a lot more attention to the cost of items when I grocery shop and look for things I like on sale. But some of your changes are good ideas too. Just sayin' .

 

[Gloria27]

Not surprised at all.
When brexit was announced in 2016, prices went up immediately or stayed the same but the packaging shrunk by even 50% (example frozen chips).

 

[stracci2000]

I'm not really frugal, but I do much of the same (cloth napkins, reusable fiber towels instead of paper, don't buy bottled dressing, have never really bought prepared foods) but I do it for the environment. So think of the positive side of what you are doing. I am not saying that inflation doesn't bother me. I pay a lot more attention to the cost of items when I grocery shop and look for things I like on sale. But some of your changes are good ideas too. Just sayin' .

I do think of the environment in reference to these things. I just hate wasted paper products. I do not use paper plates either.

A few days ago I spilled the cat's water dish on the kitchen floor. DH reached for the paper towels, and I may have been too harsh when I said "No, no, no! Don't waste paper towels! Just get that rag under the sink!" He probably thinks I am bossy and horrible.

 

[Lookinagain]

He probably thinks I am bossy and horrible.

But smart !

 

[YadaYadaYada]

The unfortunate thing for us is that I’m never home for dinner anymore, before I would plan out a whole week of dinners and that saved a lot of money.

Now since DH is home things are bought on the fly and we spend more as a result. We also don’t buy any paper products ( well toilet paper of course!) and try to be conservative with buying. I admire folks who make their own soap and laundry detergent, just lucky I have time to run to the store and buy detergent, forget making it!

 

[OneKuhlChic]

Yes, all true!
I am a frugal girl, and I've had to become more frugal. Like using cloth napkins, and keeping rags on hand for spills in order to cut back on paper towels.
I make my own vinaigrette instead of buying salad dressing. More home cooking, less prepared foods......stuff like that.

It's funny you mention making your own salad dressing and cooking food from scratch.

I'm a good deal older than many on PS... When growing up my family never ate prepared food and I never had bottled salad dressing until I was in high school!!
My family had salad with dinner every night and my awesome Italian Mother always made her own Italian salad dressing. To this day, I still prefer making my own Italian salad dressing!!

 

[Lookinagain]

My family had salad with dinner every night and my awesome Italian Mother always made her own Italian salad dressing. To this day, I still prefer making my own Italian salad dressing!!

Same here. I'm fairly old and I've only purchased bottled dressing a few times in my life, but as a kid, it was basically just vinegar and oil dressing. At least now I make an actual vinaigrette. But I'm off topic now. sorry.

 

[stracci2000]

Same here. I'm fairly old and I've only purchased bottled dressing a few times in my life, but as a kid, it was basically just vinegar and oil dressing. At least now I make an actual vinaigrette. But I'm off topic now. sorry.

I like that ......"fairly old"........
hahaha!

 

[Lookinagain]

I like that ......"fairly old"........
hahaha!

Well it's better than saying "really old" or "ancient"

 

[stracci2000]

It's funny you mention making your own salad dressing and cooking food from scratch.

I'm a good deal older than many on PS... When growing up my family never ate prepared food and I never had bottled salad dressing until I was in high school!!
My family had salad with dinner every night and my awesome Italian Mother always made her own Italian salad dressing. To this day, I still prefer making my own Italian salad dressing!!

I mention this because my Italian mother did the same thing! Ex-virgin OO, lemon juice, sliced garlic, salt and pepper. And fresh mint from the back yard.

So I think anything from a bottle can never be as good.
Same thing with cake mixes and lots of other stuff. Homemade is always better.
There are lots and lots of ways to save money and not buy those overpriced, shrinking food products.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

All I know is between gas over $4 a gallon here, the rising cost of groceries AND a teenage boy in the house, well we are definitely feeling the impact of inflation here!

I just read that the 1kg block of cheese we buy has gone up by over $2 in the last 6 weeks to $13.50, fortunately with just two of us a block usually lasts a little more than a fortnight
500gm of butter is $7- something so i just dont do any baking any more

 

[Karl_K]

In some brands a pack of bacon is down to 10oz and most are 12oz and full lb packs are rare and the prices are nutz

 

[Karl_K]

same with coffee, look for 1lb and 2lb cans/jugs/bags that used to be the standard size.

 

[cardinalsfan]

The ice cream containers irk me the most. I love the brands that still do a half gallon or a pint. But sometimes, I gotta have some Häagen-Dazs (now only 14oz).

 

[lissyflo]

Maybe some of the changes are health policy related? A lot of the foods you pictured are very high in fat, salt or sugar and I know the policy here in the U.K. is that smaller packages may encourage lower consumption of these foods and the view that they’re a treat to be eaten in limited quantities rather than things for mindless consumption.

(But yes, I’m sure the manufacturers are screwing us in the process too!!)

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Maybe they think we consumers don't notice, or maybe they think we don't care.
I was in a big grocery store today and thought I would take some photos of the shrinking products.

These containers now have a waist. Fancy design, less product inside.










And candy. Lots of plastic wrapping, very little substance. All individually wrapped. More plastic than chocolate.


Ice cream containers have gotten so small! Only 48 oz. I swear a baby could hold this ice cream package
Notice how rounded this container is. They are shaving off the corners to give us less product.


All the orange juice bottles have a long neck.
Remember when OJ was 64 ounces?
The cardboard cartons are now 56 oz. and getting smaller.


Candy now comes in a stand up bag containing about 9 oz. They used to be 12-14 oz. several years ago.
The stand up bag has more visibility, but far less product.

Love your rings by the Blue Bunny. Is that the one you just made?

 

[autumngems]

If only I could do that to my thighs and stomach

 

[kenny]

IIRC long ago McDonalds interviewed tons of customers ...
The question was something like, "Would you rather have a price increase, or a smaller item for the same price?"
People voted smaller item for same price.
I don't know whether/how it applies here ... just saying.

Also having a waist in an of itself does not mean less product if the whole container has higher capacity (perhaps it's taller or expanded all around.
You have to go by the weight or volume listed on the package.
Yes, I realize the OP did that for OJ.

I suspect the marketing weenies understand how container with a waist looks more like a slender person ... a not so subtle trick using psychology and subliminal marketing drivel.

Also FWIW it's easier to grab the container with a waist, especially with wet hands.

 

[stracci2000]

Love your rings by the Blue Bunny. Is that the one you just made?

Why yes,it is! And I wear it next to yellow and rose gold bands. I mix it up. There are no rules!

But what a puny container of "frozen dessert". They can't call this one ice cream, due to the ingredients.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Didn't even notice the "ice cream" I was admiring your rings.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

You know how they are quick to put “15% More” or “Value Sized” on a product? Well it should work the other way around too.

Now 15% Smaller!

Less of a Value Sized

 

[stracci2000]

a not so subtle trick using psychology and subliminal marketing drivel.

Yes, absolutely.
And so many products are now called
light, reduced calorie, low sodium and sharing size (mostly used on candy and chips).
There's even reduced calorie wine and pre mixed cocktails. They are marketed to women, featuring pretty pink labels with flowers on them. Because women will fall for it!
Don't get me started on the "Skinny Girl" food and wine line put out by the woman from that Rich Housewives TV show.
Lots of other manufacturers have jumped on the "skinny" name bandwagon. They're all in the stores right now.
It's all so ridiculous.