Cereal offenders: Consumers warned to look out for shrinkflation

Shrinkflation is a tactic used by companies to decrease the size of a product but keep the price the same often without consumers knowledge.

As cost of living pressures continue to grow consumers are being warned to watch out for shrinkflation when shopping for their everyday essentials.

Data found that both Coles Mighty grain and Woolworths Max Charge decreased the amount of cereal in their packet by 65g while remaining the same price.

Seasonally, CHOICE also found that the cost of Hot Cross Buns had increased 50 cents on average despite being smaller.

Hot Cross buns weren't the only sweet treat that was found to be impacted.

The probe found that chips and biscuits were also affected.

McVities' Go Ahead range of 'forest fruit' flavoured biscuits still cost $4.40 despite packet sizes decreasing going from 218g in June 2022 to 174g.

And Woolworths' original salted corn chips cost $2.30 for 175g when in October 2023 you would get 200g for the same price.

Cleaning products were also targeted by the probe.

Jif's Power & Shine Bathroom cleaner cost $2.50 for 700ml in May 2022. It now costs $4 despite being 200ml smaller. The price rise means the cost of each 100ml has increased by more than 122%.