Declaring ‘shrinkflation’ to the consumer

[anotherbanana]

The French government is proposing legislation to oblige manufacturers to declare whether supermarket type products have been shrunken for the same price. One supermarket chain wants to put labels on those that have been.

What’s the betting that the legislation gets dropped as the big agroalimentaire boys get to work on les dèputés.

https://www.lefigaro.fr/conso/shrinkflation-carrefour-annonce-des-etiquettes-sur-les-produits-des-lundi-les-industriels-crient-a-l-hypocrisie-20230907

[Lori]

Can't read the article as it is behind a pay wall.

 

[anotherbanana]

That is odd indeed, Lori as I dont have a subscription but could read it. Sorry.

[Lori]

Tried it again and wasn't blocked.  Odd.

I think the legislation could pass in October.  Yes, I imagine the big food manufacturers will attempt to block it.

Most of us have already noticed the changes and we know it will continue.  The manufacturers certainly couldn't deny the facts.  The legislation (if passed) will just make it more noticeable to all shoppers.  It won't stop the process from taking place.  It 'might' make manufacturers think twice before doing this, but I rather doubt it.

 

[anotherbanana]

I wonder if it will oblige them to declare changes to ingredients, usually cheaper.

[Lori]

I thought they were required to list all ingredients.  Or do you mean changes from one sugar to a cheaper one - for example?

 

[anotherbanana]

Yes, Lori, exactly.

[cajal]

3 hours ago, Lori said:

Most of us have already noticed the changes and we know it will continue.

Exactly, it's been going on for several decades on things such as confectionery, products in box type packaging, jars and bottles. It is now normal practice and will continue to be so, which will prompt further reductions in quantity and price hikes to cover the cost of the relabelling the packaging informing consumers what they already know.

[menthe]

6 hours ago, Lori said:

Can't read the article as it is behind a pay wall.

 

As Wooly has said, no problem reading the article.  Have had a tin of Quality Street given to us by visitors from the UK.  Not only is the box plastic instead of metal, the contents only filled half the box.

Apparently, some products have even had their "recipe" changed.

[menthe]

Oops, sorry Lori, I see you WERE able to read it.  I am late to the party.  It feels very much like cheating to me as the price is probably the same or has even gone up?

[Lehaut]

As insidious, but difficult to prove for the consumer is underfilling.  TF1 had a section where they weighed containers with, allegedly,500gm, 1kilo etc of flour, sugar etc.  Several were a few grams under.  Not much for the individual, but over several thousand for the manufacturer, a good saving.  Proving it as a consumer is another thing.

[anotherbanana]

Carrefour is starting the ‘war’ as of Monday when some products will be named and shamed with stickers; if you can I suggest simply not buying them though I suspect that many items are not high on our shopping needs list.

[Lehaut]

21 hours ago, anotherbanana said:

that many items are not high on our shopping needs list.

Same here. Most of the special offers don't affect us as we buy so little processed food.  The margins are pretty slim already on "raw" products, be they meat or veg.