Deceptive and Underhanded Food Packaging

 I know what you're thinking: a book on nutrition and health seems like something other than the place to be worrying about package size. Spending money on breathing air instead of food is a waste.


Almost everyone has felt the frustration and disappointment of opening a package, jar, or box and finding far less than was advertised. There are occasions when we aren't being cheated at all. "Slack fill" in China PE Cling film manufacturers packaging is used for practical purposes, such as cushioning fragile items during shipping. However, manufacturers often reduce production in times of economic strain to keep prices stable. Many consumers have also seen a similar pattern of sneakily smaller product sizes in this sector. According to Deloitte's 2011 Consumer Food and Product Insight Survey, 74% of consumers have seen a reduced size of some packaged foods.


From Labels to Rates

Manufacturers become highly sophisticated at "packaging to price," a method wherein they raise prices while subtly altering the appearance of products. They use the following techniques in the vain hope that harried consumers won't notice them:


Modifying the package's form. Standard containers are being shrunk in height but not in breadth. Nothing stands out from the aisle.


Labels like "New E-Z pour bottle" and "Same Great Taste" draw attention away from the decreased serving size. A common marketing tactic is calling new, smaller packaging "greener," "future-friendly," or similar to imply that it requires fewer resources to produce.


Products with noticeable price increases are often packaged in bigger containers, bags, or cartons. The boxes might have a "Now, 40% more!" stamp. Yet you pay to double what others do.


Increasing a can's volume by adding extra brine, syrup, or water. Putting food in new containers that look the same yet contain less product. A "pound" of bacon here is only 15 ounces, while a "pint" of ice cream is just 14 ounces.


Tricks of the Black Hole

While adapting packaging to price is, in theory, consistent with free market principles, some "black hole" approaches are dishonest. Some examples are:


Making indentations in the base of a container or a plastic bag Having unnecessary dividers or plastic bags inside of containers Wrapped up with bubble wrap or blister packing to hiding the fact that they are empty inside.


You should be suspicious if you see a well-known product with unfamiliar packaging. If you think you're receiving a better deal, check the label. If you suspect slack fill, you should check the net weight of the product and compare it to the consequences and box sizes of similar items in the area. Contact the FDA's regional complaint coordinator if you have any issues. Here you may find a list of state coordinators.


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