Supermarket items that have SHRUNK in size but prices have stayed the same

SHOPPERS are getting less bang for their buck, with some everyday products shrinking in size and staying the same price.

The Sun has identified several food and drink items that are now smaller in size – but you won’t get them any cheaper.

1

It’s a blow to families already facing a cost of living crisis that has seen food bills soar.

Inflation figures released today show the cost of everyday goods and services has hit 5.5% – it’s highest since March 1992.

A single bottle of Corona Extra beer has shrunk from 710ml to 620ml. That’s 90ml less, yet the tipple will still set you back £2.

You can pick up Nescafe’s Gold Cappuccino sachets for £1.69. The price hasn’t changed, but the packets have shrunk from from 136g to 124g.

And you’ll still pay 70p for Tesco Mozzarella even though it’s now 240g and you used to get 270g.

We spotted Cadbury’s Brunch Bars which now come in a pack of five instead of six – but you’ll still pay £1.

Birds Eye has also reduced Petit Pois peas from 1.05kg to 960g with only 4p taken off the price.

It now costs £3.25 and you get 45g less.

It’s the latest sign of “shrinkflation” where shoppers get less for their money.

Prices are rising and food and drink makers are reluctant to pass this on to consumers.

For instance, the latest official figures show that bread is now 4.1% more expensive than a year ago, and meat 3.9% pricier.

Whole milk is up 6.4% and now costs 46p per pint, on average, compared to 43p this time last year.

So instead food and drink makers reduce the size of the product, and this is called shrinkflation.

The Sun previously revealed that Cadbury has quietly shrunk the size of Wispa bars by 7%, and the price remains the same at around 80p.

Some manufacturers have even put UP the price at the same time as making products smaller.

The Sun earlier this month revealed that I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter has shrunk by 10g and gone up by 40p in price.

Tubs of the spread weighing 1kg used to cost £2 at Asda but have now gone down to 900g and are £2.40.

And packs that were once 500g were previously £1.05 at Tesco but have since risen to £1.25 and shrunk to 450g.

Manufacturers Upfield said they have changed the recipe to make it vegan, which involved using pricier ingredients. 

It added it was also facing “significant cost increases” for raw ingredients, which has made manufacturing more expensive.

SCOURGE OF SHOPPERS

Sarah Coles, of investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown has called shrinkflation “the scourge of supermarket shoppers” at a time of rising prices.

She said: “Not only are we faced with a horrible surprise at the till each week, but we’re also getting less for our money.

“It means it’s all the more important to compare the value of products, rather than just the price, to make our money go as far as possible.” 

Asked about the change to its Brunch Bar multipacks, Cadbury said it was made in August last year.

A spokesperson said: “Higher costs and inflation are impacting food products across all categories.

“We look to absorb these costs but sometimes have to make decisions to slightly reduce the size or weight of our products to keep them as affordable as possible.”

Tesco said the size of the Mozarella was changed last year.

It said: “We work hard to give customers great value, and offer a range of mozzarella brands at different price points – including our ‘Exclusively at Tesco’ Creamfields mozzarella, covered by our Aldi Price Match, at 43p for 210g.”

And Nescafe said: “Since the start of the year, everyone is experiencing pressure in terms of raw material and price increases so ingredients, packaging, transportation costs are going up.

“We do everything we can to manage these costs in the short-term. We also aim to make any long-term changes to prices changes gradually and responsibly.

“Our number one priority is to keep shelves stocked for consumers and customers.”

Corona and Birds Eye did not respond to request for comment.

Here’s five ways you can lower your food bill and these simple tricks could lower your bills by hundreds each year.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk