Europe 1 with AFP 11:35 am, April 26, 2023

"With inflation soaring, many consumers looking to save money are turning to what they think is good deals," says Foodwatch. However, the price per kilo of large formats is sometimes more expensive, in reality, than the same product in standard packaging, according to the association.

Food sold in "family" format, but "more expensive per kilo or liter": the Foodwatch association, which promotes transparency in agribusiness and distribution, denounced in a statement Wednesday some more expensive products when they are sold in "max" format or in batches. Foodwatch, alerted by consumers "annoyed to find again and again this practice in supermarkets", has "checked in the drives and shelves of the main chains of mass distribution" and noted in early April a list of 12 products whose price in special formats was per kilo higher than the standard format.

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Between 5 and 7% increase on some products

The inventory of products mentioned ranges from Lustucru gnocchi to pan, whose price per kilo swells by 7% between the pack of 300 grams and that of 500 grams at the Carrefour de Vannes, to the log of goat President which takes 5.5% in maximum format at the Hyper U of Saint-Avé, in Morbihan. Another example: the sliced brioche Harrys, whose price per kilo in maximum format swells by 6.2% at the E.Leclerc in Vannes.

This list is not exhaustive and the price of food depends on each store and when it is measured; knowing that it is very volatile in times of inflation. But Foodwatch estimates that "every extra penny paid per kilo or liter on a special format is one cent too much".

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In September 2022, the organization had warned about a similar marketing practice, "shrinkflation", which consists of masking the price increase of products by reducing quantities in similar packaging. A legal practice provided that the indication of the weight of the food is changed, but which can mislead consumers. "These abuses should be prohibited or strictly controlled as promotions are. Together with consumers, we are therefore calling on the government," Foodwatch campaigner Audrey Morice said in a statement.