Products sold in smaller and smaller quantities, but with the same price. The government promises sanctions for those who cheat customers

Manufacturers will be obliged to visibly mark on the packaging if they have reduced the weight. The measure is intended to cut off the momentum of those who decreased the quantity of products sold, but kept the same prices. People complain that butter, chocolate, soft drinks, cheese or meat products are sold in smaller and smaller quantities. The Prime Minister promises controls and sanctions for those who deceive customers.

In recent months, in many supermarkets, the products most sought after by Romanians have reached the shelves with a smaller weight, but at the same price. People say they figured out a new strategy at the end of the month, when they noticed that the packets of flour or rice emptied much faster.

For example, the weight of a bag of wafers decreased from 180 to 160 grams. People pay an average of 16 lei for a package of cheese, but the weight has decreased by approximately 10 grams.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announces measures so that people are no longer deceived.

Marcel Ciolacu, Prime Minister of Romania: I ask all the control authorities in Romania to intervene urgently, and in parallel to prepare a regulation on the French model: manufacturers must be obliged to visibly indicate on the packaging that they have reduced the weight, if the price of the product has remained unchanged. And, of course, severe penalties for non-compliance with this obligation.

Representatives of shopping centers admit that they have received many complaints from angry customers.

Economists say that the big manufacturers are trying to win in this period from everything.

Last month, the French Finance Ministry announced that it is forcing retailers to flag products for which they have reduced weight but kept the price.