[mrustow]

I recently came back from living overseas, and after I got back I noticed that some food, e.g. yogurt and Coca-Cola, was being offered in smaller containers than when I left. This suggests to me that companies expect that legal trouble is a possibility, so they're offering more choices as a way to partially immunize themselves. It will be interesting to see if McDonald's et al. start offering smaller portion sizes for those who want them.

This suggests to me, that companies are trying to maintain their bottom line, while avoiding price increases. Dannon is the yogurt company in question; already, its plucky, smaller competitor Columbo, is emphasizing in its ads that it gives you 33% more yogurt.

[mplsconservative]

Dannon the FRENCH yogurt company is cheating us in portion size? Oh my! Another reason to boycott Dannon and all other frenchie stuff, beyond the obvious reasons. Pass me the fries, will 'ya please?

[untenured]

This suggests to me, that companies are trying to maintain their bottom line, while avoiding price increases.

Could be. We'll know in a few years. After years of upping portion sizes it would seem strange to reverse course now, although I know candy-bar makers have done that. But I remember that the candy-bar markers thought that consumers wouldn't really notice, which wouldn't hold for Dannon. Their smaller containers are obvious.

FWIW, a little while back Kraft downsized some of their portions after they were sued (unsuccessfully) over Oreos. The Detroit Free Press talks about it a little bit here.