According to a survey by Croatian MEP Biljana Borzana, 94.5 percent of Croatian citizens noticed that products are decreasing while the price remains the same, and 66 percent that the quality of services for the same price has significantly decreased." At a time of high inflation, multinationals are trying to issue a bill to citizens in a very insidious way by reducing packaging or product quality.

According to my research, as many as 94.5 percent of citizens noticed a decrease in the weight of certain food or hygiene products, while the prices remained the same. Some countries such as France, Belgium or Hungary are trying to fight through national laws more clearly by pointing out to consumers about the changes," says Biljana Borzan.Consumer associations point out Lipton Ice Tea, which has shrunk from a pack of 1.5l to 1.25l, baby food Nestle Guigoz, which dropped from 900g to 830g. In Germany, rama margarine was declared the fraud of the year because the packaging dropped from 500g to 400g. That's actually 25 percent." In addition to srinkflation, a potentially dangerous newer phenomenon has appeared on the market – skimpflation. It is about reducing the quality of products in order to maintain the same price. Thus, at the beginning of the war in Ukraine, sunflower oil was replaced with less quality palm oil because this was not available. However, when sunflower oil returned to the market, manufacturers continued to use a cheaper variant. Cheaper ingredients generally mean less healthy ingredients, so such changes can have detrimental effects on human health in the long run," explains Borzan. Consumer centres across the EU report a decrease in the quality of food, but also clothing and hygiene products." As many as 76 percent of our citizens have noticed a decrease in the quality of food or cosmetic products to which they are faithful. Such changes in the composition are often not even indicated on the package. In addition, 66 percent of citizens noticed a decline in the quality of services. For example, for the same price you get much fewer options and facilities when you buy hotel accommodation, tickets for events or when you sit in a restaurant or at a beautician. It's about cheating citizens so that the burden of the crisis can be beaten over their backs again. Both practices should be blacklisted unfair business practices in the EU," says Borzan.* The survey was conducted on a representative sample of 806 respondents, December 2023/January 2024, hendal agency.