Cookie Monster Is Angry About Shrinkflation

Joining the Debate

Shrinkflation seems to be everywhere, and consumers have had it. Among those speaking out against smaller packages for unchanged prices: Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster.

“Me hate shrinkflation! Me cookies are getting smaller,” Cookie Monster wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Same, Cookie Monster, same.

Shrinkflation has become a post-pandemic phenomenon, describing companies reducing the size of a product or package while keeping the price the same. Examples of shrinkflation are all over, from the number of sheets in a roll of paper towels to the amount of cream in an Oreo cookie (MDLZ).

What’s the Debate?

Many of us didn’t need the Cookie Monster to point out that things have gotten more expensive. The post-pandemic inflation peak has affected consumers across the board. And even though the pace of inflation has come down, prices are still rising.

Groceries are eating up the highest percentage of American budgets in 30 years. At the same time, many companies have been posting juicy profits, calling into question whether the price increases are, strictly speaking, necessary.

Politicians have pointed to shrinkflation as an example of corporate greed, rather than a pragmatic response to higher wholesale prices. President Joe Biden called this practice a “rip-off” for Americans — a sentiment the White House echoed in a response to the Cookie Monster post, saying “C is for consumers getting ripped off”.

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