An increasing number of Americans are noticing that their money doesn’t go as far as it used to. Consumers say this impact reaches into nearly every part of daily life.
Things like shrinkflation in grocery items, the practice of shrinking the amount of food, detergent, and similar goods while charging the same price or more, are a hot topic, with no shortage of documented cases.
But lately, a new concern has entered the mix. People are questioning whether the weight listed on prepackaged products actually matches what’s inside. One such claim now involves Ritz crackers, according to one customer.
What Is Happening With Ritz Crackers?
TikTok creator @mrlucky0606_ shared a video comparing an older and newer box of Ritz 8-pack sleeves. The clip has pulled in over 206,000 views.
“Everything the same. Every number the same,” he says while filming both boxes side by side on his kitchen counter. He zooms in on the nutrition label and the net weight, pointing out that both list 11.8 ounces (334 grams).
“The box is the same,” he adds. “Same amount, same calories, same serving size.”
He then opens both boxes and starts counting the crackers inside one sleeve from each.
“This my old box. Never been opened,” he says as he counts out 15 crackers in a single sleeve.
Then he opens the newer box, which he says he just purchased. The stack is visibly shorter, and this time, he counts 13 crackers.
“This one got two less. Same box. But the price was higher on the smaller one by a few cents,” he says. “They gettin’ us both ways. A few more cents, less food,” he says. “They some damn crooks.”
He also points out that the serving size remains listed as five crackers per serving, with 21 servings per box on both versions.
“Everything is the same,” he says. “They really think we slow.”
“Why do they do us like this?” he writes in the video’s caption.
Could This Actually Happen?
There are multiple federal rules in place meant to prevent this exact situation, where the net weight on a package doesn’t match the product inside.
The Office of Weights and Measures, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, oversees accuracy in commercial weights and measurements. There is also the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, which requires companies to clearly disclose net contents in both metric and U.S. customary units.
Still, real-world enforcement doesn’t always stop problems from happening.
Just this year, Walmart paid $5.6 million in settlements after it allegedly overcharged customers and sold products—including produce, baked goods, and prepared foods—with less weight than what appeared on the label.
In this specific Ritz case, the TikToker did not weigh the crackers, so there is currently no proof that the total net weight is different from. It remains possible, at least in theory, that the total weight across all sleeves still adds up correctly, even if individual sleeves vary.
BroBible has reached out to Ritz via its contact form for clarification and to @mrlucky0606_ via TikTok messages for further details.
What Can You Do If A Product Weighs Less Than Advertised?
If you believe a product weighs less than what’s listed on the packaging, the first step is to collect proof. That includes photos of the packaging, the product itself, and measurements on a scale.
From there, you can file a complaint with the weights and measures office in your state, which handles investigations into labeling accuracy.
You can also return the item directly to the store for a refund or exchange. In many states, retailers are required to honor refunds when net weight discrepancies appear.
@mrlucky0603_
Commenters React
Under the video, viewers criticized not just Ritz, but American corporations at large.
Some called for action right away. “Let’s normalize taking things back for refunds,” one person wrote.
Others focused on corporate accountability. “Greedy corporations!! This needs to stop!!” another commented.
Some viewers said the crackers themselves already feel different. “They aren’t even fully baked anymore. They have changed them somehow. Not as good as they once were! They used to be darker in color!” one person added.
“I ran right upstairs and counted mine! I don’t have all my sleeves anymore but did note some rolls had 14 and one had 13,” one wrote. “I wonder if they all add up to the stated ounces on the box? I wouldn’t doubt they are cheating us, but playing devil’s advocate.”