Sneaky Kraft Co.!

 I was shopping over the weekend at the grocery store, and when I went to the cheese section noticed that the 1/2 lb. sticks of Kraft cheese were in new packages that looked a little odd, a little thinner than they always had been before.

  On closer exam, I noticed that the new packages contain only 7 oz. of product, and not a full 8 oz.    When I checked their 1/2 lb. (2 cup) pacakages of shredded cheese - which also looked different - same news (only "1 3/4 cup").      

   I wonder how many consumers were duped and didn't notice this "downsizing" for their $s.    .   Likely Kraft did this rather than raise the price noticeably b/c of increases in costs.  

  For me, it's going to be Borden cheese only in the future ...  At least they still give a full 1/2 lb. for your money.  

  (btw, the local Kraft factory is right across the street from my office - I wonder if I should throw something in their direction? )

Kraft isn't the only one doing that. The cereal companies have been doing it for several years. Same with bottled things like salad dressings. The manager at our local grocery store said one tip is every time you see a redesigned package, check the size...that's when they do it. Bottle shapes are really sneaky about hiding less product.

Well, Paul .. if only ALL consumers were as "sophisticated" as you ..  

  But judging from the overwhelming response on the main forum, a lot of consumers out there aren't, and do feel like the cos. are trying to take advantage of the situation, at least hoping they won't notice the switch   ..  (and no, nothing legally-actionable b/c, as you point out so readily, it does say what the true weight/volume is of the product on the package) .. 

Kraft definitely isn't the only one doing it - as Dee said, not only cereal, but lots and lots of other products.  Sometimes they don't change the size, but just up the price.  Same thing if you ask me.  Apples are still apples, same size as they were last week and the week before that, but, now the price is 10 cents + per pound more.  Companies are doing whatever they can to stay in business and resizing/readjusting prices are just part of everyday life.  Watch for sales and/or change brands.  Kroger brand cheese is on sale ALL the time and tastes just as good as the more expensive brand name.  My kids like cheese cubes but I absolutely REFUSE to pay for the convenience of having it already cut up.   I own a knife, cutting board, and ziplock bags so I can do the EXACT same thing for sooo much cheaper.  Granted, takes a bit of work, but to save money, I'm totally fine with it.  Cheese might be good protein, but it IS high in fat so at my house, the consumption of it is used as minimally as possible so having it a few pennies higher or an ounce less is no biggy for us.  Hope the Borden company doesn't change packaging on you so you can once again be a happy shopper! 

Jill do you get shredded cheese from sams or costco?under $9 for 5 pounds - now that I will pay for LOL

Mary does all the shredding and cubing in our house.  We have a cheese slicer and a shredder.  Just buy the 2lb blocks, or the 1 lb if they are on sale for a better price.  We can figure out if it's a good buy. We are Texans.  Not the typical Main Forum Folks.

It depends on what kind.  I have bought the mozzerella shredded because that can easily be frozen into more manageable portions.  Cheddar does not taste all that terrific after being frozen so I usually get that one at Kroger.  Nine times out of ten the sale price at Kroger is the same cost per ounce for shredded vs. block so unless I need cubes, I just get the shredded in the 2 cup packages.  (They still have two cup bags.)  If I'm making something like lasagna, I will buy it at Sam's as it definitely is cheaper by the 5 lb. bag!!!

Alissa has been having to hear my fit on it with the Tuna industry, almost everyone has moved to 5 oz cans from 6 oz on both tuna and salmon screwing up my healthy salmon patty recipe by messing up my fish to oatmeal ratio. (I use oatmeal and egg as the binder instead of corn starch and bread crumbs. grrr

The object is really not to dupe the consumer, but rather to stay profitable and ultimately, in business.   My only gripe is all the cheese packages for Kraft now look identical and you really have to look (ie, read) to find the one you want.   I struggled to find the 2% Mexican shredds recently in Wal-Mart where the darn cheese has a 10 ft. spread...  Was annoying to say the least and I hate anything that slows me down when grocery shopping... I want in and out as quickly as possible.