It\u2019s becoming a common experience for Americans going to the grocery store: your bag of chips seems lighter, your favorite drink comes in a slimmer bottle, and you\u2019re running out of laundry detergent more quickly than usual. And yet things are staying the same price.<\/p>\n

On Monday two Democratic lawmakers launched an attempt to get to the bottom of the phenomena, accusing three major companies, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and General Mills, of shrinking the size of products while charging consumers the same price \u2013 a price-gouging practice known as \u201cshrinkflation<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Senator Elizabeth Warren<\/a> and US representative Madeleine Dean allege in letters to the CEOs of the three companies that they have participated in shrinkflation, subtly decreasing the size of cereals and sodas sold in stores.<\/p>\n

General Mills decreased its box of \u201cfamily size\u201d Cocoa Puffs from 19.3 ounces to 18.1 ounces over the last few years, the letter alleges. Meanwhile, PepsiCo downgraded the size of Gatorade bottles from 32 ounces to 28 ounces.<\/p>\n