Doritos: The Disappearing Chip Act
Doritos fans have been hit hard by shrinkflation, with bags that previously weighed 9.75 ounces now containing just 9.25 ounces, resulting in about five fewer chips per bag. This reduction occurred in 2023, when the popular nacho cheese triangular chips lost half an ounce from their standard bags. The change was confirmed directly by Frito-Lay, the parent company of Doritos, making it one of the most transparent examples of corporate shrinkflation.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for consumers already dealing with rising grocery costs. This downsizing represents just one of many examples of shrinkflation, a cost-cutting strategy where companies reduce product sizes while keeping prices the same, as manufacturers face squeezed profit margins from inflation, pandemic-related supply chain bottlenecks and labor shortages. What’s particularly sneaky about the Doritos reduction is that five fewer chips might not seem significant until you realize you’re paying the same price for less product.
Tostitos: The Vanishing Party Size
Tostitos party and family-sized bags have shrunk significantly, with some varieties going from 18 ounces to 15.5 ounces in 2023. Consumer protection lawyer Edgar Dworsky, who tracks shrinkflation meticulously, found that Tostitos’ “Hint of Guacamole” version shrank by one ounce from 12 to 11 ounces, while the “Hint of Lime” version dropped from 13 ounces to 11 ounces. These changes happened gradually, making them harder for casual shoppers to detect.
The impact on consumers has been substantial enough that PepsiCo, responding to customer complaints, announced in late 2024 that Tostitos and Ruffles “bonus” bags will contain 20% more chips for the same price as standard bags in select locations. Consumer advocate Edgar Dworsky responded to PepsiCo’s move by saying “It’s about time,” noting that “chip lovers have suffered through years of downsizings”. However, this reversal appears to be more of a promotional strategy than a permanent fix to the shrinkflation problem.
Oreo Cookies: The Incredible Shrinking Cream
Oreo enthusiasts have been particularly vocal about changes to America’s favorite cookie. People have been complaining about the dollop of cream inside regular Oreos appearing much smaller, and while the regular size packages maintained their 14.3-ounce weight for years, they recently dropped to 13.29 ounces. Oreo Thins have also been affected, reducing the number of cookies in each package by about four, with the “family size” now containing only 11.78 ounces down from 13.1 ounces.
Cookie enthusiasts have taken their frustration to Reddit, specifically the Shrinkflation forum, where Oreo diehards complain that when you twist open an Oreo, you find far less cream than you used to. One Reddit user declared that “not only have Oreos gotten thinner, now they retracted the creme diameter too,” with many responses suggesting the skimpy filling was worthy of a class action lawsuit. The changes have been so noticeable that some consumers have threatened legal action over what they perceive as false advertising.
M&M’s: The Miniature Candy Crisis
M&M’s family size packages experienced shrinkflation in 2023, going from 10.07 ounces to 10 ounces with no change in price. Party-size milk chocolate M&M’s have also shrunk from 42 ounces to 38 ounces compared to their 2019-2020 size. While these reductions might seem minimal, they represent a clear pattern of giving consumers less product for the same money.
Candy lovers have been warned that packages of M&M’s, along with other sweets, have shrunk, meaning consumers might find themselves paying the same price or more for a noticeably smaller serving. The changes to M&M’s are part of a broader trend affecting candy products, with about 38% of candy items now sold in smaller amounts according to analysis by LendingTree. This represents a systematic approach by manufacturers to maintain profit margins while appearing to keep prices stable.
The Consumer Backlash and Corporate Response
Research shows that 64% of shoppers express concern over shrinkflation, and according to a 2024 survey, 75% of Americans have noticed shrinkflation at their grocery store. The consumer response has been swift and vocal, with a 2023 survey revealing that 48% of American shoppers abandoned a brand due to shrinkflation, as consumers who feel deceived are less likely to remain loyal to a brand.
The backlash has reached such levels that companies are starting to reverse course. As inflation drove up grocery costs, shoppers began scrutinizing purchases more closely, opting for cheaper alternatives or foregoing pricier brands like Tostitos altogether, with snack sales declining by 0.5% in Q3 2024 compared to the year prior. This consumer resistance has forced some manufacturers to reconsider their shrinkflation strategies and offer “bonus” sizes to win back customers.
The evidence is clear: popular snack foods have quietly shrunk while prices remained the same or increased. From Doritos losing five chips per bag to Oreos reducing their cream filling, consumers are getting less value for their money. While some companies have begun responding to consumer complaints with temporary “bonus” sizes, the underlying practice of shrinkflation continues to affect grocery aisles nationwide. What do you think about these sneaky size reductions? Have you noticed your favorite snacks getting smaller?
