Shrinkage?

No, not that kind of shrinkage. Today we're talking about the downsizing of food products at the grocery store. While listening to NPR today I heard an interview with Ben Popken, the editor of The Consumerist, a blog about stores, consumer products, and anything where consumer things go wrong.

Today on "All Things Considered" they were discussing how food products available at the grocery store are getting smaller while prices are staying the same. Ice cream containers are getting smaller, cereal boxes have fewer ounces, margarine tubs are shrinking... all without announcing this to the consumer and keeping prices steady. I'm not sure how I feel about this, but my gut tells me it's wrong.

If packaging remains the same then it is deceptive. There are two schools of thought here: 1) The consumer needs to be aware and protect herself or 2) Producers should make ethical decisions that provide consumer protections. Thankfully we do not live in a black and white world and the reality is some of each philosophy is true. Blogs like The Consumerist help counterbalance big corporations when they pull this type of move.

All that being said, I'm convinced that M&M bags are smaller. Period.