DTI-NPCC eyes requiring ‘shrinkflation’ signs on downsized products

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 24) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) on Wednesday said it is studying to put up signs on grocery products to ensure the right to information of consumers amid “shrinkflation” in grocery markets.

“So pinag-aaralan natin kung puwede tayo magkaroon ng regulation sa paglalagay ng signage para mabilis ma-alerto ang consumers, kung merong pagbabago sa timbang na walang pagbabago sa presyo,” DTI-Consumer Protection Group Asec. Amanda Nograles said in a press briefing.

[Translation: So we are studying if we can have a regulation requiring [corporations] to put up signages to inform the consumers right away if the product was downsized with the same retail price.]

The agency defined shrinkflation as the reduction of the “grammage” or size of the product but retaining its retail price.

DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual has ordered the department to study the effects of shrinkflation in the market and to protect the rights of the consumers.

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Nograles said they are exploring whether the manufacturer should include the label in the packaging. As for retailers, signs can be put on shelves of grocery stores, she added.

“Right to information ng consumers natin ang pinag-aaralan natin," she stressed. "Ine-explore natin kung manufacturer, then ilalagay siya sa pakete sa packaging. Kung retailer, then ilalagay siya sa shelves ng grocery stores. So pinag-aaralan natin.”

[Translation: The right to information of the consumer is what we are studying. We’re exploring if the manufacturer should put the signs in the packaging and for retailers, if they can put the signs on shelves of grocery stores.]

She said other countries have implemented such rules.