Shoppers have no legal protection from shrinkflation in SA, says consumer ombud

Shrinkflation refers to a practice whereby companies reduce product sizes while maintaining or increasing prices.

Tomato sauce containers have typically shrunk from 750g to 700g, bacon has decreased from 250g to 180g, and even frozen vegetables have been affected, shrinking from 1kg to 900g. 

Not all customers notice the subtle changes, and brands don’t make it known.

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Pillay argues that it is a difficult balance for manufacturers as they face their own challenges with infrastructure issues like electricity and water shortages, forcing them to make difficult decisions to remain competitive while absorbing rising costs.

“It’s counterproductive for a brand to increase the price and lose market share.” 

Unlike staples such as maize meal and bread, which are regulated, most products have no legal protection against shrinkflation.

Pillay says it is up to consumer awareness and consumer bodies to help ensure that it does not become a trend that results in unnatural pricing.

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“Coming from a very strong legacy, pre-1994, our ability to manage and be more vocal when it comes to value for money has declined substantially. We tend to accept a lot of pricing issues without challenging too much,” he says. 

To listen to Pillay in conversation with CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit, click below: