Chocolate of the Month receives size reduction while its price goes up, as announced by Milka - Chocolate price hike and size reduction - Milka's latest deception revealed
In an effort to raise awareness about hidden price increases and misleading practices in consumer products, the Consumer Advice Center Hamburg has been selecting the "Packaging Trick of the Month" based on consumer complaints. This month, they have crowned Mondelez's Tuc Bake Rolls as the most brazen product in the "Packaging Trick of the Year" competition for 2023.
Deceptive packaging practices have been a concern for consumer advocates for years. Examples of these practices include ingredient splitting in food packaging, misleading health claims, misleading recyclability and sustainability claims, and greenwashing in environmental claims. These tactics are designed to make products appear healthier, more sustainable, or scientifically credible than they truly are.
Manufacturers are increasingly using such deceptive packaging, such as hiding price increases or reducing product quantity without changing the packaging size. One example of this is the Peanut Flippies from Funnyfrisch, which has been found to reduce product quantity while maintaining similar packaging, leading to consumers paying more for less.
The issue with these deceptive packaging practices is not just that products are more expensive, but that manufacturers are not communicating these changes honestly. This practice, known as Shrinkflation, has become more common due to rising inflation since 2022.
To combat these practices, the Consumer Advice Center Hamburg allows the public to vote on the "Packaging Trick of the Year" annually, with five candidates. This year, the center has selected Granini's "Drink Enjoyment Orange", Lorenz's "Peanut Whirls", Milka's "Giggles Bunny", margarine from Rama, water softener from Calgon, and hand cream from Nivea as the "Packaging Trick of the Month".
The Consumer Advice Center Hamburg maintains a photo gallery of deceptive packaging, which is associated with the center. This gallery features images related to price increase, as well as examples of deceptive packaging from previous years.
Consumers pay the price for these deceptive packaging practices, as they are often unaware of the reduced product quantity. It is important for consumers to be vigilant and to check the quantity of products before making a purchase.
References:
[1] "Deceptive Packaging: How Manufacturers Hide the Truth." Consumer Reports, 15 Jan. 2021, www.consumerreports.org/food-nutrition/deceptive-packaging-how-manufacturers-hide-the-truth/.
[2] "Greenwashing: The New Packaging Trick." Environmental Defense Fund, 30 Mar. 2021, www.edf.org/blog/greenwashing-new-packaging-trick.
[3] "The Truth About Recycling Labels." National Geographic, 22 Oct. 2020, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/the-truth-about-recycling-labels.
EC countries need to implement stricter regulations on packaging to prevent deceptive practices, such as shrinkflation, misleading health claims, and greenwashing. A lifestyle that includes mindful shopping can contribute to this by checking the quantity and accuracy of information in home-and-garden, deals-and-discounts, or vocational training products before making a purchase.
