You buy a box of your favorite snack, and you take a bite. It just tastes “off.” You look at the ingredient list, and you realize that it has completely changed. This is a common and very deceptive practice. A food manufacturer will quietly change the formula of a classic product to cut costs. They will do this without any big announcement. They are hoping that you will not notice. Here are eight famous examples of brands caught changing their formula.
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1. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
In 2015, Kraft pulled off one of the biggest food tricks in history. The company removed all artificial preservatives and synthetic yellow dyes from its classic macaroni and cheese. They replaced them with natural spices like paprika and turmeric. They did not tell the public for three months. The successful, secret switch proved that the new, “cleaner” formula was a success.
2. Oreos
The iconic Oreo cookie has been the subject of a long-running debate. Many longtime fans are convinced that the company has changed the formula of its creme filling. They claim that the modern filling is less rich and has a more “artificial” taste than the one they grew up with. While the company denies a major change, it is a common complaint from Oreo purists.
3. Cadbury Creme Egg
When the American company Hershey’s took over the production of the Cadbury Creme Egg in the U.S., it made a major, controversial change. The company stopped using the traditional, rich Cadbury milk chocolate for the shell. They replaced it with a standard American Hershey’s milk chocolate. This change in the formula was a betrayal of the many loyal fans of the classic British candy.
4. Jif Peanut Butter
Jif, the leading brand of peanut butter, has also faced a customer backlash over a formula change. In recent years, many longtime fans of the brand have complained that the classic Jif no longer tastes the same. They claim that the recipe has been altered to include more sugar. This has made the peanut butter too sweet and has ruined its classic, roasted flavor.
5. Breyers Ice Cream
This is one of the most infamous examples of a formula change. The Breyers brand was built on a simple, all-natural ingredient list of milk, cream, and sugar. To cut costs, the company has changed the formula for many of its products. They now contain a long list of fillers and stabilizers, like corn syrup and whey. The new product is no longer “ice cream.” It is legally a “frozen dairy dessert.”
6. Dunkin’ Coffee
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When Dunkin’ changed its name from “Dunkin’ Donuts,” it also made a major change to its coffee. The company launched a new, “next-generation” brewing system. This was designed to make the coffee’s flavor more consistent. However, many longtime, loyal customers have complained that the new coffee is weaker. They say it has a more bitter taste than the classic, beloved blend.
7. Folgers Coffee
Folgers, the classic “red can” coffee, has also been accused of a quiet formula change. For years, the can was a symbol of a reliable and consistent cup of coffee. Now, the brand is the subject of numerous online complaints. Customers claim that the new Folgers tastes weak, acidic, and “like dirt.” They believe the company has switched to a cheaper, lower-quality bean.
8. Honey Nut Cheerios
The “Family Size” box of Honey Nut Cheerios has been the subject of a recent consumer complaint. A shopper pointed out that the new, 18.6-ounce box seems to contain fewer oats and a lot more of the sugary, oat “dust” at the bottom of the bag. This is a common form of “skimpflation.” The company is quietly changing the ratio of its ingredients to save money.
The Stealth Reformulation
A company will rarely advertise that it has changed its formula to make a product cheaper. This is a secret that they do not want you to know. They are hoping that your brand loyalty is so strong that you will not notice the subtle, but very real, decline in quality. The only way to protect yourself is to be a vigilant consumer. You must always read the ingredient list. You have to trust your own taste buds.
Have you ever noticed a sudden, unannounced change in the taste of your favorite food? What brand do you think has had the worst formula change? Let us know!
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