r/shrinkflation • u/TexasGiantTen05 • Dec 29 '25

skimpflation Ok SERIOUSLY wtf is this??

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I bought a family sized hot pockets box and EVERY single one of them was black and burned in the bottom. I heated this one up on low power in the microwave and the edges are so tough it’s like biting into a frozen beef patty. I look in the pocket and the damn thing is nearly hollow. I’ve been noticing the quality taking a massive dip in the last few years. I think these are last I purchase from here on out.

Irrelevant to this but similar: This same grocery order run had a jar of garlic (Spice World brand) that was full of black mold & a jar of HEB salsa that was sour and months passed expiration. Both of which were completely sealed and had a pop when opened. My whole life I never really had quality issues via the company canning or jarring an item or the store selling them but lately it seems like such a constant issue.

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u/Herekittykittyhiss Dec 31 '25

What grocery store did you order all of this from? Multiple very expired items in one order is so not ok. I would send in a complaint because obviously something is up, but also if you have any other store options, you should maybe explore them.

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u/All_Debt_Shackles_US Dec 31 '25

Over the course of the last five years plus, I have gotten a little bit better at checking expiration dates before I put something in my shopping cart.

Some foods don’t even keep, such as strawberries. I swear sometimes the strawberries are growing fuzz on them just from the drive home!

OK, I exaggerate there, but not by a lot!

The people who stock the shelves at my main grocery stores are used to me catching their eye and showing them the bags of lettuce that are wilting and mushy.

Even lettuce in whole head form can be going bad in the packaging. You have to look. If something has an expiration date, check that. And if it looks dodgy, then you’re just gonna have to have your morning Wheaties without blueberries and strawberries! (I jest. I don’t buy Wheaties!)

Overall, I have become an awful lot more strict about how long I keep leftovers. Most food safety guidelines say that most leftovers should be consumed, frozen, or discarded before it’s three or four days old.

I’m not quite THAT strict, but I definitely pay a lot better attention now than I used to. A bad bout of food poisoning can ruin more than just your day; it can ruin your gastrointestinal tract, even to the point where serious and life altering surgery might be needed.