Shrinkflation is a practice of reducing the quantity of a product while maintaining or increasing its initial price. Thus, mass distribution reduces the weight of certain products, without warning the consumer. In times of inflation, this method is increasingly criticized.
Monday May 6, UFC-Que Choisir published an article in which it denounces the Chocapic cereal brand, but also that of Friskies cat food. So the cereal boxes are passed from 430g to 375g, a drop of almost 13% quantity, while the price per kilo increases by 37%explains the consumer association.
Lion cerealsanother brand of the Nestlé group, are also affected by this shrinkflation, with packaging reduced by 10% and a price increase of 29%.
Mandatory information from July 1
The UFC-Que Choisir specifies that animal foods are also subject to changes in quantity. For example, a packet of chicken kibble for kittens from the Friskies brandowned by Purina, which also belongs to the Nestlé group, passes from 2 kg to 1.5 kg. Depending on the brand, for this product, the price per kilo can increase from 26% to 67%.
To put an end to shrinkflation, a decree was published by the Ministry of the Economy in April. From July 1, 2024, distributors will have the obligation to inform consumers on consumer products which have undergone a downward change in weight or volume, leading to an increase in unit price.
However, only physical stores of more than 400 m2 are affected by this decree. To avoid falling into the trap of these new formats, it is advisable to look at the price per kilo or per liter of a product.
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