We continue reporting on products this week that have been reformulated in some way, usually with less of the expensive components and often by substituting cheaper ingredients (“skimpflation”).
| Scott 1000-Sheet Toilet Paper |
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Virtually every brand of toilet paper has been downsized over the years, but Scott still has 1000 sheets. Of course, they reduced the size of each sheet multiple times as we have reported, but the current size has remained the same since 2010. So besides raising the price, Kimberly-Clark has also tinkered with the paper itself. According to purchasers, it is getting thinner and rougher. (See recent shoppers’ reviews.)
The sheets are so thin they’re transparent. I don’t even think they are a full ply.
Won’t be buying again … Would rather use a leaf then this crap again. Couldn’t be more disappointed!!!
It’s thin like the cheap paper in public restrooms and you have to use twice as much. I will never buy again.
If you enjoy picking out little globs of paper from your body parts because it is so thin it disintegrates from getting wet with the slightest friction – this is the toilet paper for you!
To try to quantify the change, we compared the weight of a four-pack of Scott from around 2006 to today’s version, while accounting for the sheets size change. Though not perfect, this method demonstrates how much less paper fiber or pulp goes into today’s sheets. And the difference is dramatic.
*MOUSE PRINT:
The current version has about 20-percent less paper by weight than the 2006 version. So if purchasers are perceiving it has gotten thinner, it is not their imagination. This a perfect example of a company reformulating the product to cut costs — the essence of skimpflation.
We don’t know if Kimberly-Clark made small changes over time or all at once. The company did not reply to multiple requests for comment.
| Hungry Man Double Chicken Bowls |
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An eagle-eyed shopper named Random Keith found that this TV dinner had changed. Hungry Man Double Chicken Bowls fried chicken used to pack 39 grams of protein. Now it has 33 grams — 15% less protein — but it still comes in a 15-ounce box. This could suggest a reduction in the chicken or cheese content — the two most dominant proteins.
*MOUSE PRINT:
But, a check of the ingredients statement and nutrition label offers a clue to their recipe sleight-of-hand. The new version is missing “textured soy protein concentrate” which was part of the breading. Does that solely account for the reduction in protein? We asked Conagra, the maker of Hungry Man, what had actually changed, but didn’t get an answer.
If you spot a product that has been reformulated with cheaper ingredients, please send a sharp before and after picture of the primary labels and the ingredients statements to Edgar (at symbol) ConsumerWorld.org . Thanks.
I also recently noticed that Pop-Tarts have gotten so thin, that they now collapse in the toaster and fall apart when you try to get them out.
I ordered strawberry PopTarts from wally world as the only brand I can get in this small town is ToastEms. Like you, I am very disappointed with PopTarts and yes, they ARE very thin now. Plus the pastry part has at least an inch margin all the way around with just a little blob of filling in the middle. Very crumbly, very little frosting on the top and they don’t taste as good anymore. The ToastEms on the other hand are what PopTarts used to look, feel and taste like years ago. PLUS they are less expensive. Guess which one I currently buy?
I will never understand why anyone would buy Scott one ply toilet paper nor why a well know Boston hospital has it in all their rest rooms. Most people like three ply and will usually unroll (and unroll) at least that amount for their use. Does not save money in my opinion and also terribly unsanitary.
We here in this small desert town buy the one ply due to aging plumbing, finances and preferences. Scott does not super bleach their paper (ever have a skin reaction “down there” due to the chemicals used to process some of these papers?) My town has old homes with ancient plumbing lines, including sewer. Thicker paper dissolves slowly plus gets hung up in the pipes, clogging home and city sewer lines. 3-ply paper is way too pricey when a family of 4+ is under one’s roof (unless money is not a problem.) And lets not get started about that toilet paper lint left behind on those pricier, fluffier brands 🙂 As for Scott getting thinner and thinner:yes, those of us who use it in this area have noticed a while back that it was. Right now the dollar store brand (won’t say which) is working out better than Scott so lots of us here are using that. Does what we need it to as far as no plumbing issues and does the “job” we need it to. Plus it is affordable.
The Scott tissue seems like an extreme change. In 16 years it has lost 6% of it’s SQFT and 20% of it’s pulp, so over the course of 16 years Scott tissue customers are getting a full roll less of toilet paper than before. Or, to put it in toilet paper company lingo:
4 2022 Scott Tissue rolls equals 3 2006 Scott Tissue rolls!
Scott’s next step, will be to make the paper reusable.
The Scott tissue comparison from 2006 to 2022 is truly shocking. I would like to see more such comparisons done with other products. I have noticed that facial tissues keep shrinking – less tissues in the box but the box stays the same size.
In spite of the shrinkage I still use Scott because with septic I can’t use the bulkier rolls. We just use more of it. Many of those 2 and 3 ply rolls have less than 500 sheets per roll. Some more like 300. In order to make a roll last more than a few days you’d have to use only a few squares at a time which cancels out any benefit you’re getting from the thicker sheets. And in that case it’s not any more sanitary.
Renee, I’ve noticed that with the facial tissues as well! Before I would buy a box and it would last forever, for the occasional runny nose. Now, before I know it, the box is done.
this Scotts junk has been like this for at least 3 years..
https://www.complaintsboard.com/scott-brand-b129598/page/2