$5 for this?! Aussies furious over shockingly small chip serving

Few things spark outrage across Australia like being short-changed on hot chips.

The expectation of a generous serve of golden, crispy goodness is practically sacred when paying with hard-earned cash.

So when a Sydney local shared a photo of what they called a 'pathetic' serve from Zeus Street Greek, the reactions were swift and furious.

The post, shared on social media, showed a container of the famed 'Yia Yia's chips' that looked barely larger than a small sauce cup.

The hospitality worker claimed the $5 small serve held only about 12 chips—many broken to fit into the tiny container.

They added that the cup’s indented bottom made the portion appear even shallower.

'This st is weak as fk, it looks like something from a kids' meal,' another Reddit user commented, sparking a flood of similar complaints.

Locals were quick to call the chips 'microchips' and joked that Zeus must think they were selling a plane ticket to Greece.

Zeus Street Greek responded, stating small chips were priced at $3.90 for 120g, not $5, and admitted this particular serve 'clearly wasn't right.'

They said they were following up with staff to ensure proper portions in the future.

The issue, however, taps into a wider frustration: shrinkflation, the subtle practice of reducing product sizes while keeping prices the same.

Australians have long felt the squeeze, with 84 per cent of households worried about food costs and two-thirds admitting they were struggling or just getting by.

Shrinkflation has touched everything from Freddo frogs to Tim Tams and even beer cans.

Assistant Minister for Treasury Andrew Leigh said clearer information would allow Australians to spot product changes and judge value for money.

'If a chocolate bar loses two squares but keeps the same price, that's not magic—it's shrinkflation,' he said.

'We want feedback on what steps we can take next to crack down on diminishing sizes.'

Shrinkflation hits older Australians hard, especially those on fixed incomes, who have less flexibility to shop around.

University of Technology Sydney professor Sanjoy Paul explained that packet sizes in supermarkets often shrink without notice—from 1 kilogram cucumbers to 750 grams, for example—making it difficult for consumers to detect changes.

'Imagine a young family with young kids and without huge amounts of discretionary income,' Paul said.

'How much time do they have to sit on websites and apps and price-compare? It is a heavy burden to place on individual consumers.'

The federal government is taking action, introducing stronger Unit Pricing Code measures and penalties for breaches to make prices clearer.

CHOICE has called for supermarkets to be required to disclose shrinkflation so shoppers can make informed choices.

Shoppers can fight back by checking unit prices, noting when familiar products feel lighter, being wary of 'new and improved' packaging, and photographing items for future comparison.

Coles' Mighty Grain cereal shrank from 560g to 495g, while Coles own-brand cornflakes dropped from 475g to 440g with a price increase of 20 cents.

A/Prof. Humphery-Jenner said retailers often chose shrinkflation over direct price hikes to avoid backlash, as consumers rarely translate smaller sizes into perceived price increases.

This subtle manipulation particularly affects older buyers who have trusted the same brands for decades.

Australia’s supermarket duopoly, with Coles and Woolworths dominating, makes it easier for shrinkflation to occur without alternatives, creating a power imbalance between retailers and consumers.

Increased public scrutiny and government oversight, however, may push companies to reconsider.

'This is about ensuring Australians aren't treated like mugs by the supermarkets. Our ongoing supermarket crackdown means more competition, better prices and better deals for Australians.'

Have you noticed your favourite products getting smaller while prices stay the same or increase?