Quantities and packaging

THE other day, conversation turned to the rise in price for many necessities, despite the volume of the products getting smaller. For example, most breakfast cereals, admittedly not all, are in boxes only 2/3 filled when opened.

What used to be a kilogram box is so often now 900g instead, yet the price remained the same or worse still went up a bit. But so what? We’ve got to have most of these products. so we buy them. A lot of bottles that used to be a litre are now 900,950ml.

I’ve been taking a tablet now for 35 years. Originally it came out in a 30 pack box or bottle depending on the brand. Then they dropped it to 28, eg a four weeks supply, then to the odd figure of 25. In recent years they are now in packs of 24.

Vitamins and related products are notorious for being in 2/3 full containers. What does all this mean? More freight costs, higher packaging costs, more shelf space required for display etc. I got two new shirts recently and on opening found that they have no pockets. Seniors have been having trouble with the smaller buttons being used more and more in recent years. The list is endless.

With the medication, it means more trips to the doctor for a new script. It’s just a sign of the times and so often there is little we can do about it.

RAY HARCH, Toowoomba