Is this cereal box smaller or am I getting bigger? - Freeze-Frame Radio

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

Is this cereal box smaller or am I getting bigger?

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

A few years ago, the major ice cream makers downsized their half gallon containers to 56 ounces. It took a while for many consumers to catch on to the change, and once they did, shoppers were not happy.

Now we are right in the middle of another downsizing by the ice cream industry. Check your grocers freezer case, and you are likely to find both the current 56 ounce container of ice cream along side the new size.

*MOUSE PRINT: Some manufacturers like Breyers are introducing containers that are 48 ounces, down a full eight ounces, and the price has remained the same.

Breyers

You will notice the change in package is very subtle. The new one is tapered more along the sides, but is the same height.

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

Someone in the mouseprint forum raised an excellent question.

Does this type of downsizing get counted in the national inflation numbers?

confuzzed · Permanent State of Confusion

Have you seen the price of soup lately? I do not have a problem eating soup all year long. And let's face it, if you can't afford to eat a balanced or normal meal every night, soup makes it possible to eat. And several soups are good for those learning to eat better. A few weeks ago I was crusiing down the soup aisle and notice big changes in Campbell's prices. I went to pick up a can of tomato rice soup and it was $1. $1 for a can of condensed soup.

The last time I paid attention, I thought it was 0.85 a can. Of course that may have been some time ago and the price may have actually been up to 0.95 a can. Of course I then looked at the other soup prices. Soup was affordable. I don't know if I call it that anymore. Maybe I should just start eating nothing but rice. I realize the price of that is up too, but it goes a lot further.

ghostdancer · Ghost In The Machine

I've noticed how tricky the companies are getting with products. I first noticed it with butter, like I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. Used to be a 16 oz container, now it's 15 oz. Next up was yogurt.....used to be 8 oz cartons, now they're 6 oz. Sour cream and cottage cheese soon followed.....less ounces per container. Then the ice cream thing. I think the ounces have dropped in Lay's potato chips too; it's been a while since I've bought that brand, but the packages sure do look smaller. Laundry detergent is another one.....they claim it's more concentrated, so you get less in a bottle. And yep, even cereal has less ounces in the box. But not a single item has dropped in price....everything cost the same or more for less than we used to get.

And Fuzzy, if you're getting Campbell's Tomato soup for $1 a can, you're getting a better deal than me. Here it's $1.39, and cream of mushroom is now $1.89. hmm

Jeremy Riggs · 2011 Super Bowl Champions!

I noticed cereal boxes awhile ago.

I also noticed yogurt. It seems like you don't get but three spoonfuls of yogurt anymore.

ghostdancer · Ghost In The Machine

I know; I'm a big fan of yogurt, I love that stuff, but heck there sure isn't much in those cartons anymore. hmm