KELLOGG’S has come under fire from a frustrated business owner over alleged product differences.
They claimed to have noticed the changes after buying the company’s famous Rice Krispies Treats.
Kellogg’s has been called out over claims it’s shrinking some Rice Krispie treats[/caption]
A business owner has claimed there’s a clear size difference between some treats[/caption]
“Kellogg’s, please explain,” begged Sweet Tooth Candy Buffets owner Ursula (@swttoothbuffets) in a recent clip on TikTok.
Ursula could be seen with two different Rice Krispies Treats boxes — one a larger 40-pack and the other an eight-pack.
The packs should include identical treats for both, the only difference being the count included.
Still, Ursula claimed that she found the Rice Krispies Treats in the 40-pack to be noticeably smaller than those in the eight-pack.
“There’s a huge difference,” Ursula argued.
The business owner could be seen unwrapping a Rice Krispies Treat from the eight-pack, which appeared complete and “beautiful,” according to her.
She then went to the 40-pack and unwrapped a treat, placing it side-by-side with the unwrapped one from the eight-pack.
“Can you see the difference?” Ursula asked viewers.
“It’s like half of this that’s in here.”
SQUEEZE TEST
She also squeezed both treats, with the 40-pack Rice Krispies Treats shrinking considerably faster than the eight-pack.
“I knew I wasn’t crazy,” Ursula aruged.
Her post quickly went viral, with over 82,000 likes, and some taking it to other platforms like X to blast Kellogg’s for allegedly engaging in “shrinkflation.”
Shrinkflation is an economic term for when products shrink in size or quantity while their price remains the same.
In the case of the Rice Krispies, that could be the case with the 40-pack value box if the treats are now smaller.
CPI and Inflation explained
The Consumer Price Index is how the federal government measures inflation.
Every month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shares its CPI numbers with detailed breakdowns of which items have changing prices.
The CPI shows the amount prices rose or fell over the previous 12 months.
The calculation process is complex, but measures the changes in price for urban consumers, those living or working in an American metropolitan area.
While that does not cover everyone, it measures prices for about 90% of the population.
The U.S. Sun has contacted Kellogg’s for an official comment on Ursula’s claims.
SHRINKING SHAME
It wouldn’t be the first time consumers have made claims of companies, retailers, and even fast food restaurants using shrinkflation tactics in recent years after inflation spikes during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Some frustrated customers at McDonald’s claimed in 2022 that the chain began decreasing the size of its burgers and Filet-O-Fish offering.
McDonald’s vehemently denied the accusations.
In September, Entenmann’s Little Bites caught backlash after launching new Biggie Muffins in a four-pack for fall.
A few customers argued that there should be at least six muffins per package despite the promised size increase.
“Wow, four muffins…Probably shrinkflation at its finest,” someone commented on an Instagram post about the snack’s arrival.
Inflation in the United States increased by 0.2% in September after the numbers came out from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Mark Hamrick, senior economic analyst with Bankrate, told The U.S. Sun that inflation is still trending in a beneficial direction for consumers despite the increase.
