Cookies, Cuts, and Cost: The Super Typical Shrinkflation Saga

The Oreo Incident and a Global Phenomenon!

Lighter grocery bags, same heavy toll on bills.

The recent buzz surrounding Oreo’s crème filling has pulled back the curtain on an economic sleight-of-hand known as #Shrinkflation.

Outraged Oreo fans claim to have discovered the latest shrinkflation scandal and accuse the company of sneakily reducing the amount of creme in each cookie.

In a world where costs are rising, companies are downsizing products without downsizing the price, leaving us all paying the same for less.

Oreo crème filling diminishing over the years. Image Source: NY post

The Oreo commotion sent shockwaves through social media, with consumers expressing concern and demanding transparency from the snack giant. Though Mondelēz International denied any changes, the incident shed light on the growing awareness of shrinkflation.

The Shrinkflation phenomenon isn’t just an Oreo problem; it’s a global issue infiltrating various industries and it is more common than you think

Let’s explore some real-world examples hitting closer to home:

Common Indian products that faced the blow of shrinkflation

🇮🇳 INDIA 🇮🇳

Parle Hide & Seek:

🍪 Parle Products Pvt. Ltd, a prominent Indian biscuit manufacturer, reportedly reduced the weight of its popular chocolate chip cookies from 68 grams to 60 grams without altering the price.

Maggi Noodles:

🍜 Nestlé India was accused of reducing the weight of its instant noodle packs from 120 grams to 100 grams while maintaining the price.

Surf Excel Detergent:

💦 Hindustan Unilever, another major FMCG player in India, reportedly reduced the quantity of Surf Excel detergent powder in its pouches from 500 grams to 450 grams without any price adjustment.

Britannia Marie Gold Biscuits:

☕️ Britannia Industries Limited, another leading Indian biscuit manufacturer, reportedly reduced the weight of its popular Marie Gold biscuits from 100 grams to 90 grams while maintaining the price.

Amul Butter:

🧈 Amul India, India’s largest dairy cooperative, was accused of reducing the weight of its butter bars from 200 grams to 180 grams without any price adjustment.

Lays Potato Chips:

🥔 PepsiCo India reportedly reduced the volume of its Lays potato chips packs from 50 grams to 45 grams in some markets.

Haldiram’s Bhujia:

🍺 Haldiram Snacks Pvt.Ltd., was accused of reducing the weight of its Bhujia packets from 100 grams to 90 grams without any price adjustment.

Global brands are also following the Shrinkflation trend!

🌎 🌍 🌏 Global Examples 🌎 🌍 🌏

Coca-Cola:

🥤The Coca-Cola Company, the world’s most recognized beverage brand, was accused of shrinking the size of its aluminium cans from 330 ml to 311 ml in several countries.

Cadbury Dairy Milk:

🍫 Cadbury, a global chocolate giant, has also faced allegations of reducing the weight of its Dairy Milk chocolate bars from 240 grams to 200 grams in the UK.

Kellogg’s Cereals:

🥣 Kellogg Company, a global cereal giant, faced allegations of reducing the weight of its cereal boxes in various countries, including the United States and Australia.

Dove Soap Bars:

🛁 Unilever, reportedly reduced the weight of its bars from 135 grams to 125 grams in some markets, while maintaining the overall price.

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