Some foods sold in batches seem cheaper than in their “classic” version when it is the opposite. The Foodwatch association publishes a survey and points the finger at this practice of distributors which concerns consumer products.
The price per kilo or liter of certain foods is higher when they are sold in “max size” or in batches only when they are sold in their standard version, reveals this Wednesday the NGO Foodwatch, which denounces “scams”.
>> Falling quantities, but rising prices… Foodwatch denounces “shrinkflation” on certain products
In a survey, Foodwatch thus pinpoints 12 products from major brands or private labels: “For example, the price per kilo of Pépito Lu biscuits increases by nearly 25% when they are sold in packs of two, slices of Gouda at Cora are 28% more expensive per kilo when the pack goes from 8 slices to 14 in maxi size“, notes the NGO, which also cites Milka cupcakes, Nesquik cereal bars, Pasquier and Harry’s pastries, Pepsi…etc.
Alerts from consumers, who felt fooled
Consumers, who felt fooled when they thought they were getting a good deal, alerted the Foodwatch association, which was able to observe these price differences in major retailers in Île-de-France, Brittany and Hauts -of France. “These practices are completely unacceptable, particularly in the current context of inflation,” says Audrey Morice, campaign manager at Foodwatch. This is’“abuse of supermarkets operated mainly on the backs of families with reduced purchasing power, targets of these large formats with the scent of scams“, she says. Guest of franceinfo on Wednesday April 26, Audrey Morice explains that these “special formats can suggest good deals since they look like promotions, but in reality they are more expensive per kilo or liter than the classic format”which can, according to her, mislead consumers.
“Logic would dictate that these wholesale products are cheaper per liter or per kilo”, believes the Foodwatch France campaign manager. Audrey Morice considers on franceinfo that “information on the shelves should be clear, legible and immediately accessible” : or, check the price difference per kilo or per liter “takes time because classic and special formats are not on the same shelves”, she laments. For Audrey Morice, “these abuses should be prohibited or strictly framed as promotions are”. Foodwatch thus challenges the Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire through a petition, “to demand that the existing regulations on promotions be strengthened and an end to this insidious practice“. Audrey Morice appeals on Wednesday April 26 on franceinfo at “government to say enough is enough”. The association “doesn’t ask the state to check every package of cakes or crisps”but of “put in place strict and binding regulations, such as promotions”.
The Foodwatch investigation began with alerts from consumers annoyed by this practice. Foodwatch checked the “drives” and shelves of the main retail chains and found 12 products at Carrefour (Vannes), Hyper U (Saint-Avé), Cora (Rennes), Leclerc (Vannes), Monoprix (Croisé La Roche) and Auchan (Vélizy 2). Foodwatch then compared the prices per kilo of the standard formats and their corresponding special formats displayed on April 7 and April 13, 2023.