Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17), introduced the Shrinkflation Prevention Act. The legislation would prohibit corporations from deceptively decreasing the contents of their packaging without lowering the price commensurately.

Without advertised changes, customers are often unaware when they receive less for what they spend. In practice, shrinkflation might mean more air in a bag of chips, fewer sheets on a roll of paper towels, or a divot in the bottom of a jar of peanut butter.

Shrinkflation cuts down on the purchasing power of working families, and it can add up across multiple items in a shopping trip. Among household paper products and snack foods, roughly 10 percent of inflation has been driven by shrinkflation. From 2020 to 2022, corporate profits rose by 74 percent – five times as fast as inflation.

The Shrinkflation Prevention Act would:

• Direct the FTC to establish regulations to establish shrinkflation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice, prohibiting manufacturers from engaging in shrinkflation.
• Authorize the FTC and state attorneys general to pursue civil actions against corporations who engage in shrinkflation.

“Working families across Southwest Washington just aren’t getting the same bang for their buck as they used to at the grocery store. Corporations have used rising prices as cover to give you less for what you’re paying and boost their bottom line – while the amount of packaging and cost to get products on shelves largely remains the same,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “It can be hard to notice when items get a bit smaller, and shrinkflation can add up throughout your shopping cart. I’m introducing this legislation to fight deceptive packaging practices and get extra breathing room to families facing higher costs.”

“Shrinkflation is a ripoff – yet another way that big corporations are sticking it to folks,” said Rep. Deluzio. “People in Western Pennsylvania are feeling the pinch from corporations charging more for less to pad their profits at our expense. It’s time to fight back. I am proud to join Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez in introducing the Shrinkflation Prevention Act to bring down costs and to crack down on these deceptive practices.”

A summary of the legislation is available here. Full text of the legislation is available here.

The Shrinkflation Prevention Act was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA).