Dutch Consumer Group Urges Political Action Over Dozens of Shrinkflation Cases
Updated
Updated · NL Times · Aug 25
Dutch Consumer Group Urges Political Action Over Dozens of Shrinkflation Cases
2 articles · Updated · NL Times · Aug 25
Summary
Dozens of supermarket products in the Netherlands were found to contain less product without matching price cuts, prompting the Consumers’ Association to call on politicians to intervene after talks with manufacturers and major chains failed.
Manufacturers often pair quantity cuts with redesigned packaging or disclose the smaller contents only in small print, the group said, leaving shoppers unaware they are paying the same for less.
Companies defend the changes by citing higher packaging, raw-material, energy and transport costs, while retailers say shelf prices are based on manufacturers’ recommended prices.
Sandra Molenaar wants mandatory disclosure when pack sizes shrink, or shelf warnings like those required in France, arguing current Dutch rules do not adequately protect consumers.
The push comes after Germany reprimanded Mondelēz-linked Milka over cutting chocolate bars from 100 grams to 90 grams, with a court ruling the bars could not be sold without packaging changes.