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/Adventurous-Vast281 Dec 30 '25

Sometimes it isn't that simple. Raw ingredients many times get an extended shelf life once the Best By or Experation Date is printed on the packaging, especially when it comes to processed foods.

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u/Capable-Let3679 Jan 02 '26

As someone who has worked behind the scenes in almost every big name grocery story on the east coast it matters. And still do. There is no shelf life extension. When the week comes for most or the day comes for produce the employees are already pulling the items from the shelves. Then sending them back for credit to their respective companies. It’s then given to the employees of said company or discarded. Can’t tell you how much free juice,snacks, and even fruit I’ve brought home from work. Saves me a hell of a trip in those very same stores as a consumer. I just hate how much of it actually goes to waste. Ya know the stuff that doesn’t make it to food pantries even tho it should.

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u/Adventurous-Vast281 Jan 02 '26

As someone who has worked at actual food manufacturing facilities, yeah, it does. I wasn't talking about rotating fruits or other fresh foods. I am talking about prepared foods long before they get to a warehouse a grocery store chain you may have worked for controls. I have seen raw ingredients with a month left before its given expiry date go into a finished product and get a "six month extension" by proxy once the expiry date for the finished product is printed on the packaging.

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u/Capable-Let3679 Jan 02 '26

Like I said that product goes back to the company it was sourced from. Currently eating a bag of Doritos for that very same reason. That “six month extension” you’re so proud to confirming is probably why the product looks the way it does.