What is skimpflation?

What exactly is skimpflation?

In the food sector, some companies seem to be playing hide and seek with the quality of their products. But what does this mean in practice?

Skimpflation occurs when the quality of a product is discreetly decreased. Take the example of a blueberry yogurt that used to contain real, juicy, delicious blueberries. However, some companies are now using cheaper artificial blueberries. The price of yogurt remains the same, but the quality has slowly declined. You’re basically getting lower-quality food for your money. This worrying phenomenon is affecting more and more products in grocery stores.

Consequences for consumers

Skimpflation can have harmful effects on us. Not only can it make us less satisfied and less confident in our purchases, but it can also impact our health.

Here are some examples of skimpflation:

• Reducing the amount of real fruit in yogurt, sometimes replaced by artificial flavours.

• Substituting dairy products with dairy ‘substances’.

• Adding water to dilute products, such as soups.

• Using “imitation blueberries” in bagels.

• Substituting vegetable oils with palm oil.

• Replacing chocolate with ‘chocolatey coating’ in granola bars.

Why is skimpflation happening?

Food companies use this commercial tactic, much like the shrinkflation tactic, to maintain profitability in the face of increasing production costs. They subtly reduce the quality of a product by using cheaper or lower-quality ingredients, without lowering sale prices. In these inflationary times, more and more businesses are resorting to these tactics, and it's us, the consumers, who are paying the price - literally!

Basically, skimpflation is a bit like being served a delicious dish, but with slightly less good ingredients. It is therefore essential to pay attention during our shopping.

How to avoid skimpflation?

Here are some tips to avoid skimpflation:

1. Read the labels: Check to see if the ingredients seem real or artificial.

2. Opt for products with a short ingredient list: The shorter the list, the less likely it is that the product is highly modified.

3. Cook yourself: If possible, prepare your own food from basic ingredients. Your homemade version could even be better than the one that has been skimpflated without your knowledge!

Recipe modifications are legal and common in food processing. It’s not easy to know exactly which products are using this tactic, but it is more common in ultra-processed food. When you witness skimpflation, you can show your frustration by boycotting the product! Avoid purchasing these products and look for alternatives in order to get more for your money and your health.