Sugary products shrink in size, but prices remain the same
Krugersdorpers had their say on the not-so-sweet deal of product size reduction, while paying the same price as before.
Krugersdorpers recently voiced their opinions on the latest sugar-industry hiccup.
Many consumers expressed their dissatisfaction, saying the 500ml buddy cold drink bottles are now 440ml, while some fizzy drink cans have also lost a bit of weight, and some ice-cream brands have down-sized their 1,8 litre tubs.
The News spoke to numerous consumers, and only one gave the decrease in size of their favourite products the thumbs up. Ten consumers were unhappy with the decision to reduce the sizes without their consent as the users of these products. Three consumers told the News they will resort to other brands for the normal sizes.
A day after this survey, the latest study on diabetes revealed that in South Africa, the incidence of diabetes continues to increase at a frightening rate.
Jamie-Leigh Joubert said she likes the bigger sizes, so she is not pleased with the shrinkage of containers.
“I enjoy sugary drinks and foods so I hope they can make bigger sizes,” she said.
A camera-shy Boikanyo Monareng feels the shrinkage is supposed to help people reduce their sugar consumption and said that since the price of food has gone up overall, the cool drink prices remained essentially the same.
“I think it’s understandable, I say yes to the reduction in size of sugary drinks containers because this will benefit our health. I support sugar tax as it will make people buy less sugary drinks,” said Boikanyo.
Henrico van Zyl is fully aware of the sugar tax, but said the price should not have remained the same as before the size shrinkage.
“Or if this concerns the sugar tax, then the size should have remained the same and the price increased by about R2 for the proposed sugar tax,” said Henrico.
Sibusiso Dlomo is not happy with the brands reducing their sizes, he said the prices were suitable to the original sizes, and the scale of sugar intake is up to the consumers, not the companies who produce these products.
“The prices are now higher in relation to the quantity of product in the containers. What the companies did is wrong and inconsiderate towards the customers – they can’t make people consume less sugar by shrinking containers, because we have brains to make our own choices,” said Sibusiso.
Chanté van Rooyen was also unimpressed and said she is not upset by the size reduction, but by the same price for less.
“Why take the 500ml and bring it to 440ml for the same price? That’s ridiculous,” said Chanté.
Chanelle Gouws agreed with Chanté and said the price is ridiculous now that the containers have shrunk.
“I think it would be better to resort to price reduction or the normal sizes should be brought back to the shelves – then it would be fair,” said Chanelle.
Then lastly, the News spoke to Sizwe Dladla, another camera-shy consumer, who said there is no use in disputing what these companies have implemented, as what’s done is done.
“As a consumer it’s your responsibility to exercise and control your sugar intake, so these companies should not have to deprive responsible consumers for the sake of the irresponsible ones,” said Sizwe.
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