Since the New York Times story about shrinkflation, we have gotten many more tips than usual about products downsizing. So, here is another round of them.
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Green Giant Frozen Vegetables
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Mark H. reported to us that in late summer he noticed various varieties of Green Giant frozen vegetables had downsized from 10 ounces to only eight, yet they still claimed two (skimpy) servings. Sure enough, most of their varieties are now only eight ounces.
*MOUSE PRINT:
Historically, mayonnaise came in quart-size jars, but in 2006, Hellmann’s introduced the 30-ounce size to replace that. And almost everyone else followed suit sooner or later. Not Duke’s. It refused to downsize and trumpeted that fact on their label noting that it was still 32 ounces. But Duke’s acknowledged on their website that last September that jar was now 30 ounces. Of course, the new jars are not labeled “now 30 ounces.” Thanks to Whit W., Richard G., and Steve E. for submitting this change.
*MOUSE PRINT:
Just in time for Passover 2023, the traditional 10-ounce can of Goodman’s macaroons has morphed into a nine-ounce bag. A customer service rep for the company confirmed the product has been reduced by 10-percent. Other brands still come in the familiar 10-ounce size but are moving to bags also.
*MOUSE PRINT:
Several varieties of Pepperidge Farm cookies have been reduced in size repeatedly over the years. Thanks to Joan D. and James M. for raising this issue. Here is one such change where Milano cookies went from 6.25 ounces to just six.
*MOUSE PRINT:
Unilever seems to be nickel and diming customers with repeated reductions in the size of their Dove body wash. In this case, it has gone from 24 ounces to 22 ounces to now just 20 ounces. And reader Joyce M. lamented over a year ago, that so much lotion sticks to the inside of the 22-ounce Dove container, that she cut one open and has gotten two extra weeks of use just from the residual lotion.
*MOUSE PRINT:
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Werther’s Original Hard Caramels
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Candy is one of the categories of products often subject to shrinkflation. Darnell K. wrote to us about Werther’s hard candy resenting their product shrinkage and saying the practice is just plain shady. Here, their large size went from 34 ounces down to 30 ounces. It is unclear when the change occurred but likely it was a while ago.
*MOUSE PRINT:
If you spot a product that has been recently downsized, please take a sharp picture of the old product and new product side-by-side (old on the left) with the net weight or net count showing. You can email it to Edgar (at symbol) ConsumerWorld.org . Thanks!
