1991 Mars Bar Discovery Sparks Shrinkflation Debate Online
A vintage Mars bar found by a UK cleaner, with a 1991 expiry date, has gone viral, igniting discussions about shrinkflation. The 62.5-gram bar is significantly larger than current 40-gram versions.
Key takeaways
- A Mars bar from 1991, weighing 62.5 grams, was discovered in England.
- The vintage chocolate bar is notably larger than current 40-gram Mars bars.
- The find has initiated widespread online conversation about shrinkflation.
- Manufacturer Mars Inc. attributes size changes to consumer demand and cost factors.
What Happened
Victoria Gordon, owner of the specialist cleaning company Pocket Rockets, discovered a Mars bar with a 1991 expiry date while clearing out a hoarder's apartment in Lincoln, England. The chocolate bar, described as "enormous" and "the size of my hand," weighed 62.5 grams. Gordon posted a video of the find on TikTok, which garnered significant attention and prompted discussions about shrinkflation.
Why It Matters
The discovery has fueled public debate regarding shrinkflation, the practice of reducing product size while maintaining price. Gordon noted that the significantly larger size of the 1991 Mars bar compared to today's 40-gram version highlights perceived changes in product size over time. Consumers are reportedly expressing discontent over rising costs and diminishing product quantities.
Background
Mars Inc., the manufacturer, stated that changes in bar size and packaging formats over the last 35 years have been influenced by consumer demand, manufacturing costs, and the price of cocoa. The company maintained that the chocolate bar's recipe remains unchanged.
Key Facts
- Victoria Gordon found a Mars bar with a 1991 expiry date in Lincoln, England, on August 5.
- The discovered Mars bar weighed 62.5 grams, while current Mars bars weigh 40 grams.
- Gordon's TikTok video about the Mars bar received over 40,000 likes and 1,500 comments.
- Mars Inc. cited cost pressures and supply chain issues as reasons for changes in product size over the past 35 years.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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