The makers of Müller Lights have been blasted for ‘shrinkflation’ after the company cut the size of the yoghurts from 175g to 160g – but still charged the same price.
Single pots used to be 175g but owners Müller say they have now ‘harmonised’ all products to 160g with the same price tag of around 68p.
Consumer campaigners yesterday blasted the change, saying customers were sick of paying the same for less product.
Single pots used to be 175g but owners Müller say they have now ‘harmonised’ all products to 160g with the same price tag of around 68p
Customers and consumer campaigners have blasted the change, saying people were sick of paying the same for less product
Brand expert Marcel Knobil said: ‘The responsible way to deliver this practise is to clearly announce what you have done, but various brands keep quiet about delivering less product for the same price.
‘This can easily be perceived as sneaky behaviour and alienate buyers. Some may even accuse the company of Müller light robbery.
‘It is certainly becoming a bit of a trend amongst brands who are seeing it as a convenient way to make savings, but if not done in a transparent fashion it can really niggle customers.’
When asked about the shrinking size of the pots, a spokesman for Müller UK & Ireland said they were recently relaunched ‘with a new yogurt culture so that it is thicker and creamier’.
He added that before that, products came in mixed weights and they were ‘harmonised to 160 grams.’ He also refused to comment on the pricing.
Which? Consumer Rights Expert Adam French said: ‘In recent years, we’ve seen a trend of popular products reducing in size while their prices remain the same.
‘Manufacturers and retailers may have legitimate reasons for changing the size of a product, however they must be upfront about any changes so consumers can make informed choices about how they spend their hard-earned cash.’
A press release sent out in May said Müller was to introduce ‘new and improved recipes for the nation’s two favourite yogurt brands, Müllerlight and Müller Corner’ but made no mention of shrinking the size of some
One customer posted a picture of one of the old pots – showing its weight at 175g – alongside one of the new ones, which is considerably smaller at 160g.
Jodie Davey said: ‘Look at the size of the Müller Light yoghurts!! Cheers for shrinking them but still same price! Disgusting.’
Adam also tweeted a picture of the containers together, adding: Müller Light yogurts get smaller but @sainsburys still charging same price… cheeky.’
Steve London Tweeted Muller. He said: ‘Your Müller Light yogurts have this new thicker recipe labels everywhere. But why don’t you just tell the truth??
‘The pots have got smaller and we’re 170grams now are 160grams.
‘Making them smaller for the same price but saying all you’ve done is made them thicker.’
And Angela Beardsmore added: ‘Why have you shrunk the size of the Müller Lights? They used to be 175g and now they’re only 160g but getting more expensive.’
A press release sent out in May said Müller was to introduce ‘new and improved recipes for the nation’s two favourite yogurt brands, Müllerlight and Müller Corner’ but made no mention of shrinking the size of some.
Shoppers blasted the change on Twitter and accused Müller of not informing shoppers of the change in pack size
It went on: ‘As the business continues to strengthen its core brands, and inspire people to live healthier and happier lifestyles, it is launching its best ever core Müllerlight and Müller Corner recipes.
‘Made possible following the discovery of a new yogurt culture, the new Corner recipe, available from June, contains up to 9% less sugar, more protein and has a thicker and creamier texture.
‘The new Müllerlight recipe, which remains fat free, is available now. It has a thicker and creamier texture, now has 0% added sugar, is suitable for vegetarians and high in protein.’
Two new television adverts were also introduced starring Britain’s fastest ever woman Dina Asher-Smith, and recently crowned European Indoor Pentathlon Champion, Katarina Johnson-Thompson.
The yoghurts are a staple on the Slimming World diet because they were low in fat
Michael Inpong, Chief Marketing Officer at Müller said: ‘It’s our personal mission to make people happier and healthier by simply adding taste to life.
‘We’re an established category leading brand, but we need to constantly refresh and reinvent ourselves to stimulate further category growth.
‘This is a revolutionary milestone for our brand, and the category. We’ve created our best ever recipes, backed up by our biggest ever marketing campaigns, and we’re continuing to innovate on sugar reduction.’
Do you know a product that has shrunk but stayed the same price? Email rory.tingle@mailonline.co.uk or phone 020 3615 3874