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Here We Shrink Again – Fall 2026 – Part 1

This week we spotlight some of the various products that have been reduced in size — otherwise known as shrinkflation.

Hershey’s Kisses

Snack foods like candy keep getting smaller. Here, Hershey’s Kisses share size have gone from 10 ounces down to just 8.7. I guess everyone will just have to share less.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Hershey's Kisses


Ziploc Freezer Bags

Boxes of plastic bags seem to always be shrinking whether they are sandwich bags or storage bags. Here, Ziploc gallon-size freezer bags lost 16 bags in every box.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Ziploc freezer bags


Stop & Shop Instant Oatmeal

Just like the name brands, store brand products eventually downsize too. Here, boxes of instant oatmeal from Stop & Shop which used to have 10 packets now only have eight.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Stop & Shop instant  oatmeal


Laughing Cow Cheese

This popular cheese brand lost 10-percent of its contents. This is why customers are not laughing, but the cow will soon be chuckling all the way to the bank.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Laughing Cow cheese


Dixie Ultra Paper Plates

Like most paper goods, paper plate packages now have fewer plates than before. Here, Dixie cut five plates from its package of 35.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Dixie Ultra plates


Eight O’Clock Coffee

Remember when cans of coffee used to be a pound? Those days are long gone. Today, with coffee prices so high, manufacturers are making their largest bags smaller. Eight O’Clock dropped two ounces from their 40-ounce bags. Thanks to Richard G. for this submission.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Eight O'Clock coffee bags

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Starbucks Sued Over Misleading Sugar-Free Claims

At the beginning of October, three consumers sued Starbucks (see complaint) alleging that many of the beverages sold by the company and advertised as “sugar-free” in fact contain substantial amounts of sugar.

For example, their Caramel Protein Matcha is promoted as sugar-free:

Caramel Protein Matcha

However, when more detail is presented, Starbucks changed the claim from “sugar-free” to “no added sugar” and disclosed that this size drink actually contains 16 grams of sugar which is four teaspoons.

*MOUSE PRINT:

"no added sugar"

The sugar here is natural sugar (lactose) from the added milk which is a major ingredient.

Matcha ingredients

Under federal law, “sugar-free” is a defined term meaning the food can contain no more than half a gram of sugar.

Consumers may reasonably be expected to regard terms that represent that the food contains no sugars or sweeteners e.g., “sugar free,” or “no sugar,” as indicating a product which is low in calories or significantly reduced in calories.

The term “no added sugar” is different. It means no amount of sugar or its equivalent has been added to the product as a sweetener other than in an ingredient that naturally contains sugar.

The lawyers in this case are suing the company for violations of various state consumer protection laws prohibiting deceptive practices, and they are also seeking a court order to stop the company from calling beverages “sugar free” when that is not the case.

For its part, Starbucks told the Associated Press:

“We believe these claims have no merit. Starbucks has consistently and clearly provided information about its protein beverages, sugar-free options, customization choices and nutritional content across product announcements, menus, marketing materials, Starbucks.com and the Starbucks app, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in this matter.”

Incidentally, lawyers are investigating other products making “no added sugar” and “sugar free” claims.

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Chinese Seller Pretends To Be Upscale Boston Store

Harper & Wells Boston looks and sounds like a legitimate high-end clothing store in Boston. Their website features a huge picture of the Longfellow Bridge in downtown Boston. They sell pretty pricey clothing with so-called regular prices of $349.99 for slip-ons, and a classic men’s collared button-down shirt for $249.99, for example.

Harper & Wells

Scroll down the site.

Having lived in Boston for over 50 years, MrConsumer has never heard of Harper & Wells, let alone ever shopped at such a high-end store. However, a reader of TINA.org recently tipped them off to what might be a huge ripoff.

First, there is no such store in Boston registered with the City Clerk’s office.

At the very bottom of their homepage in fine print is a business address of 73 Greenwood St,, Boston, MA 02121.

*MOUSE PRINT:

That is the address of a run-down triple decker in the Dorchester section of Boston — and not a fancy-schmancy clothing store.

Greenwood street triple decker

The company says they offer hassle-free easy returns.

easy returns

The truth is anything but because of two clauses in their return policy.

*MOUSE PRINT:

  • The customer is responsible for all return shipping costs.

  • All returns must be sent to our central warehouse.

  • While those are typical requirements at some online sellers, they are particularly meaningful in light of something buried in the company’s terms and conditions:

    *MOUSE PRINT:

    All our products are shipped directly to the consumer from our supplier in China. Any charges such as customs duties, import duties are the responsibility of the consumer.

    Apparently it can cost $30-$50 per item to return clothing to China.

    Gotcha!

    Needless to say, hopefully this company will collapse because of their hidden anti-consumer policies or by action of some state attorney general.

    For additional insights into this company, see the well-researched investigation done by Truth in Advertising.

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