‘Is this still happening?’: Walmart shopper wants answers after opening Milk Dud box and seeing what’s inside.

TikTokers Doug and Jenn are looking for answers after buying Milk Duds from Walmart, but they find a single Milk Dud in one of the boxes.

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The viral video begins with Jenn Doug filming.

“I bought this at Walmart,” he says, opening the camera to reveal a bag of assorted chocolate candies.

He then orders Doug to “open it.”

Doug takes a Milk Dud out of the bag, starts unwrapping it, and shows the inside of the candy box. Instead of a full box of Milk Duds, the box contains only one small candy.

“A whole carton for one Milk?” He says shaking his head. “They’re really cheap for kids this year.”

As he says this, Doug puts one candy in his mouth. Jenn exaggerates, “Oh Doug!”

In the caption of the video, he writes, “One Milk Salt per box? Is this really happening? Shrinkage is happening!”

What is a candy meltdown?

According to the Corporate Finance Institute, “shrinkflation” is the practice of reducing the size or quantity of a product while the price remains the same or increases.

Companies often use capital reductions “when faced with rising investment costs, as it can help preserve lower profits,” reports Investopedia.

As of 2020, many consumers have expressed frustration over feeling the effects of the recession—even when it comes to Halloween candy.

Doug and Jen’s experience is not unique. Many consumers have taken to the internet to share how their candy has been affected by the Halloween meltdown.

The Daily Dot reported on a TikToker who found one M&M in a bag of Halloween candy, as well as a woman who spoke of her frustration after finding only two M&Ms in a bag of candy purchased at Costco.

Doug and Jenn’s video has 155,000 views and hundreds of comments. Many viewers shared their frustration and similar experiences with the decrease in candy.

@dougandjenn One Dairy Milk in a box? Is this really happening? Shrinkflation is happening!! #halloween #halloweencandy #shrinkflation #milkduds ♬ original sound – Doug & Jenn

“I noticed something similar to mine,” one viewer explained.

“There used to be only 2 in a box, so they only offer one now. Shrinkflation,” said another.

“And the fact that those bags were about $30 is cool,” one commenter shared.

Another agreed, saying, “My others didn’t have the same bags.”

Viewers share other shrinkflation experiences

Several viewers reported seeing similar issues with other products, not just candy.

“It’s the same! I got the mixed pack and the Rice Krispie was small. It’s embarrassing. I grabbed Capri Sun and Kool-Aid to give them away. WHAT?” another commented.

“We found a Life Savers gummy in our pack that had one gummy,” another shared.

Another viewer added, “I had a pack of Life Savers gummies with two gummies in a wrapper and a couple of Butterfingers with no candy. Ha ha ha .”

It’s like cheating or defrauding! one viewer joked.

Some blame the manufacturers, not Walmart

Several observers defended Walmart, suggesting that the problem lies with the manufacturer, not the store.

“No matter where you bought it, the store is not a scam – it’s a candy maker,” wrote one commenter.

Another shared, “I bought mine at the dollar store, and it was 10 dollars for four in a pack. I think they have a cheap manufacturer.”

Food Daily supports these claims, arguing that manufacturers are to blame for reducing the size of Halloween candy. They suggest that candy shrinkflation is a response to rising cocoa prices as producers try to cut rising costs.

A report from the Agri-Food Institute explained that cocoa, which is the main ingredient in chocolate candies, has seen a decline in production due to climate change in West Africa. This limited supply has driven up prices.

Chocolate candy makers, such as Hershey (which produces Milk Duds), have been particularly hard hit by this rise in cocoa prices, leading them to raise the prices of their products, and in some cases , to reduce the size of the product.

The Daily Dot reached out to Doug and Jenn for comment on TikTok, as well as Hersey and Walmart through their contact forms for comment.

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