IN A BID to keep prices affordable, manufacturers and producers are engaging in “shrinkflation,” a term in economics where products are deliberately reduced in size or weight in order to maintain its price. To ensure that consumers are well informed before they purchase a product that has decreased in size or weight, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is studying the possibility of implementing a mechanism where consumers will be made aware of these changes.
“Sa ibang bansa kasi, ‘yung shrinkflation, nagri-require ‘yung government na magkaroon ng signage to highlight the grammage change kapag walang mache-change in price,” said DTI assistant secretary Amanda Nograles.
“So isa ‘yan sa pinag-aaralan ng DTI,” she added.
Nograles said the DTI is considering coming up with a regulation in putting up such signages that will alert consumers if there are changes in the size or weight of the product.
She said such signages or labels could be placed either on the product itself or on supermarket shelves.
“Kung manufacturer then ilalagay siya sa pakete, sa labelling, sa packaging. Kung retailer ilagay siya sa shelf as a signage sa mga retail shelves ng mga supermarket and retail stores,” Nograles said.
This mechanism, Nograles said, would help protect the welfare of consumers who are being affected by the rising cost of commodities. (GMA Integrated News)
