CORREA INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO COMBAT SHRINKFLATION IN STORES

Deceptive Downsizing Prohibition Act would combat unfair practice harming consumers

Legislation to empower FTC to combat deceptive downsizing

Text of Legislation (PDF)

WASHINGTON - Today, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) introduced the Deceptive Downsizing Prohibition Act of 2025 to crack down on corporations that deceive consumers by selling smaller sizes of their products so consumers get less for their money. This legislation would combat this deception by requiring companies to change their packaging or provide clear notice to reflect changed amounts of product. This bill follows reports of manufacturers misleadingly decreasing product size or amount, but keeping their packaging the same.

"From food, to household goods, to personal care products, I continue to hear from my constituents on Main Street paying the same amount of money for much less product. How are so many hardworking taxpayers being misled? Let's call it what it is: deceptive downsizing," Correa said. "For too long, corporations have been able to dupe consumers without paying the price. It's past time we fight back."

After hearing reports of consumers being misled by similar or identical packaging, despite a significant change in quantity of product, Rep. Correa and his colleagues introduced the Deceptive Downsizing Prohibition Act. This legislation would make it unlawful for companies to use the same or similar packaging if a product was reduced in size, unless they provide clear notice on the package indicating the package has fewer contents. By granting the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with the authority to enforce this ban, this legislation would protect consumers. Requiring different packaging for decreased product size will help consumers make informed decisions about how they are spending their hard-earned dollars.

Correa has long fought to ensure hard-working Orange County taxpayers can buy the goods they need at a fair price. As the former ranking member of the House Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust, Correa stood up for American consumers and small business owners, he previously introduced the Deceptive Downsizing Prohibition Act in the 118th Congress.

"Consumers should not be misled when they open a package of their favorite food to find that the bag is filled with more air than product," said Ruth Susswein, Consumer Action's Director of Consumer Protection. "This bill would require companies to disclose to consumers when they are paying more and getting less."

"Healthy markets require transparency," said John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud at National Consumers League. "We appreciate that Congressman Correa is leading the charge on this commonsense policy. Consumers deserve to know if they will receive less product than they expect."

"Consumers face significant challenges navigating inflation, which massive new tax increases in the form of tariffs have made worse," said Thomas Gremillion, Director of Food Policy at Consumer Federation of America. "Deceptively shrinking products to cover up the impact of inflation undermines confidence in the marketplace, and hurts most those who can least afford it. This bill offers commonsense protections for consumers struggling to budget for price hikes on food and other necessities."

"When corporations reduce their product's size without notifying customers of the change, it's a clear attempt to rip off consumers," said Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen. "Public Citizen applauds this commonsense legislation from Representative Correa to make it clear that this sort of downsizing is a deceptive act, plain and simple."

"Requiring manufacturers to give clear notice that a product has been downsized will help shoppers easily recognize when they are getting less for their money," said Edgar Dworsky, founder of ConsumerWorld.org.

This legislation was also co-sponsored by Representatives Cleo Fields (LA-6), Jonathan Jackson (IL-1), Henry "Hank" Johnson (GA-4), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.-At Large).

"Chicago has long been a city of resilience and opportunity, but our communities continue to face the damaging effects of deceptive downsizing practices that strip away jobs and economic stability. I am proud to stand with my colleagues to introduce the Deceptive Downsizing Prohibition Act, which will protect workers and families in Chicago and across the nation from deceitful corporate tactics. Together, we will ensure good jobs remain the foundation of thriving neighborhoods and that our city's economic future is secure," Congressman Jackson said.

"Shrinkflation is the ultimate scam that corporations have pulled in our post-pandemic world. There is no greater insult to a consumer's intelligence than to charge the same price for smaller quantities of essential items, all while Americans live paycheck to paycheck. This bill will require companies to disclose on its product's packaging any reduction in size," Congresswoman Norton said.

You can read the full text of the legislation HERE.

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