Are You Being Shortchanged by Spice Tin Sizes?

Did you know the size of your spice tin could impact how much product you’re actually getting? Some of the biggest names in the spice industry, like McCormick & Co., are now facing lawsuits over the size of their ground pepper tins.

Watkins Inc., a smaller competitor, claims McCormick has reduced the amount of pepper in their tins by 25%, while keeping the tin size the same. So, even though the packaging looks identical, you’re actually getting less pepper than before.

Why does this matter so much? It all comes down to fairness and transparency. Watkins accuses McCormick of misleading customers into thinking they’re getting more pepper than they really are, all through a clever visual trick. Since McCormick’s tins aren’t see-through, it’s tough to gauge how much product is inside just by looking. On the flip side, Watkins sells smaller tins but packs them with the same amount of pepper as McCormick’s larger ones.

Watkins argues that McCormick is trying to deceive customers and gain an unfair advantage over competitors by making their product look more generous without actually improving it. Although McCormick lists the correct weight on their tins, the “6 oz.” label is printed in a small, hard-to-read font that can be easy to overlook.

This practice, known as “slack-filling,” is considered deceptive and violates consumer protection laws. By not filling their tins to capacity, McCormick isn’t delivering the full amount of pepper that customers expect. This not only impacts the value for your money but also makes it harder for consumers to compare products accurately.

So, next time you’re shopping for spices at the grocery store, take a closer look at the packaging. Don’t let the size of the tin fool you—what’s inside is what really counts!