Shrinking Packages

Government's Stealth Takeover of Food

by Roger Hedgecock

"Food packages, cans, and bottles have been downsized.

"The "new" jar of peanut butter is still the same size (and price) as the old 9-ounce jar, but a new concave bottom means the jar only holds 7 ounces. A tortilla package that reads "Now New With 10 in a Package!" is the same price as the old 12-pack.

"A box of baby wipes that used to contain 80 wipes now has 72. Sugar comes in 4-pound bags, not 5-pound. Sixteen-ounce cans of vegetables now come in as little as 11 ounces—for the same price.

"The New York Times reported the story of Lisa Stauber of Houston, who used to feed her nine children with three boxes of pasta. When the three boxes came up short one night, she checked the box to find that the old 16 ounce-sized box of pasta now contained only 13.25 ounces, but she was still charged the price for 16 ounces.

"Chicken of the Sea tuna now comes in a 5-ounce can and often costs more than the old 6-ounce size. Bags of Doritos, Fritos, and Tostitos now contain 20% less than in 2009.

"Food companies are repackaging to mask food inflation

"As reported in the the New York Times, Kraft is introducing "Fresh Stacks" packages for its Nabisco Premium saltines and Honey Maid graham crackers. The new packages have 15% fewer crackers at the same price as the old packages but have the benefit of "portability" and "added freshness," according to a company spokesman.

"Procter & Gamble has "Future Friendly" products it promotes as using 15% less water and energy. Probably because the packages are 15% smaller.

"Many food packages now advertise "fewer calories." The claim is true because there are fewer calories in a package when there is less food.

"Food inflation, like all inflation, is driven by the government printing money beyond the value of the economy. The Federal Reserve is, as we speak, drawing dollars out of thin air to "buy" the debt from the U.S. Treasury, a classic move that will make every dollar in existing circulation (or in your savings account) worth less.

"Food prices have also been driven up by a worldwide increase in the demand for better food. As demand has risen, environmental regulations from the "Green Revolution" have restricted the growth of the food supply. Higher demand but lower supply = higher prices.

"There's another reason supply is tightening and food prices are skyrocketing.[...]" (Continue reading)