What’s wrong with this ice cream? One photo has sparked a classic Aussie debate
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There are few things more satisfying than unwrapping an icy treat on a hot Aussie day—creamy, chocolatey, and, until recently, reliably indulgent.
But a single photo posted online has sparked a nationwide debate, leaving many of us wondering: have our favourite treats been quietly shrinking before our very eyes?
Now, everyday Aussies are weighing in, with some saying it’s not just their ice creams getting smaller—it’s their patience too.
It all started when a disappointed Aussie, craving a nostalgic treat, picked up a Magnum from his local petrol station.
Wanting to share his surprise, he snapped a photo of the ice cream next to his hand for scale and posted it online with the caption: ‘Is this a special servo size or is this just how big a Magnum ice cream is now? Haven’t had a Magnum in ages. I swear these were three times bigger when I was a kid. It’s about as big as a couple fingers now.’

The post quickly gained traction, with fellow Aussies chiming in to share their own Magnum memories—and frustrations. ‘What used to be the mini became the regular a long time ago,’ one person lamented.
Another added, ‘Absolutely not worth the purchase given the quality also dropped massively from when they were first released.’ The nostalgia was real, with one commenter reminiscing, ‘Oh, old school Magnum Ego [was] the go-to ice cream.’
But it wasn’t just the size that had people up in arms. Others pointed out that the chocolate coating seemed thinner, and the price had only gone up.
‘I bought two at the footy the other night for $7 each and they were very underwhelming,’ one footy fan shared. Another summed up the sentiment: ‘Kept the same overpriced tags and shrank.’
In earlier news: This beloved treat has changed—did you notice?
If you feel like your favourite snacks and treats are getting smaller, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining things.
The phenomenon, known as ‘shrinkflation’, is when companies reduce the size or weight of a product but keep the price the same (or even increase it). It’s a way for manufacturers to deal with rising production costs without scaring off customers with obvious price hikes.
And it’s not just ice creams. Another Aussie recently discovered that a 500g bag of McCain frozen baby peas from Woolworths actually contained only 317g when weighed at home.
‘I’ve heard of shrinkflation, but really?’ they wrote, sharing a photo of the underweight peas on their kitchen scales. ‘Guess I’m keeping receipts for longer from now on.’
Also read: Viral $6 fruit-shaped ice cream hits Woolworths—worth the price?
The pea debacle sparked its own debate: should Woolworths be responsible for ensuring customers get what they pay for, or does the blame lie with the manufacturer, McCain?
Some argued that supermarkets should do more to check the quality and accuracy of the products they sell. ‘Somebody procures these things. There should be quality control at both levels, I’d be complaining to both,’ one person suggested.
Source: @schmidty275 / Reddit.
Others pointed out the practicalities: ‘What do you expect, someone to weigh every single item that is on the shelf?!’
Another added, ‘It’s on Woolies to ensure it’s delivered within temperature and not tampered with and it’s on Woolies to report customer complaints to the supplier/relevant food authorities.’
Would you try this? Buzz grows over bizarre food pairing—are you brave enough to try it?
Have you noticed your favourite snacks or groceries shrinking in size? Have you had a similar experience with ice creams, frozen veggies, or anything else? Share your stories, tips, and gripes in the comments below!
But a single photo posted online has sparked a nationwide debate, leaving many of us wondering: have our favourite treats been quietly shrinking before our very eyes?
Now, everyday Aussies are weighing in, with some saying it’s not just their ice creams getting smaller—it’s their patience too.
It all started when a disappointed Aussie, craving a nostalgic treat, picked up a Magnum from his local petrol station.
Wanting to share his surprise, he snapped a photo of the ice cream next to his hand for scale and posted it online with the caption: ‘Is this a special servo size or is this just how big a Magnum ice cream is now? Haven’t had a Magnum in ages. I swear these were three times bigger when I was a kid. It’s about as big as a couple fingers now.’

An Aussie shopper sparked debate after posting a photo suggesting Magnum ice creams have shrunk in size, with many agreeing the treats seem much smaller and less satisfying than they used to be. Image source: Reddit / Image by: @Endless_Candy.
The post quickly gained traction, with fellow Aussies chiming in to share their own Magnum memories—and frustrations. ‘What used to be the mini became the regular a long time ago,’ one person lamented.
Another added, ‘Absolutely not worth the purchase given the quality also dropped massively from when they were first released.’ The nostalgia was real, with one commenter reminiscing, ‘Oh, old school Magnum Ego [was] the go-to ice cream.’
But it wasn’t just the size that had people up in arms. Others pointed out that the chocolate coating seemed thinner, and the price had only gone up.
‘I bought two at the footy the other night for $7 each and they were very underwhelming,’ one footy fan shared. Another summed up the sentiment: ‘Kept the same overpriced tags and shrank.’
In earlier news: This beloved treat has changed—did you notice?
If you feel like your favourite snacks and treats are getting smaller, you’re not alone—and you’re not imagining things.
The phenomenon, known as ‘shrinkflation’, is when companies reduce the size or weight of a product but keep the price the same (or even increase it). It’s a way for manufacturers to deal with rising production costs without scaring off customers with obvious price hikes.
And it’s not just ice creams. Another Aussie recently discovered that a 500g bag of McCain frozen baby peas from Woolworths actually contained only 317g when weighed at home.
‘I’ve heard of shrinkflation, but really?’ they wrote, sharing a photo of the underweight peas on their kitchen scales. ‘Guess I’m keeping receipts for longer from now on.’
Also read: Viral $6 fruit-shaped ice cream hits Woolworths—worth the price?
The pea debacle sparked its own debate: should Woolworths be responsible for ensuring customers get what they pay for, or does the blame lie with the manufacturer, McCain?
Some argued that supermarkets should do more to check the quality and accuracy of the products they sell. ‘Somebody procures these things. There should be quality control at both levels, I’d be complaining to both,’ one person suggested.
Source: @schmidty275 / Reddit.
Others pointed out the practicalities: ‘What do you expect, someone to weigh every single item that is on the shelf?!’
Another added, ‘It’s on Woolies to ensure it’s delivered within temperature and not tampered with and it’s on Woolies to report customer complaints to the supplier/relevant food authorities.’
Would you try this? Buzz grows over bizarre food pairing—are you brave enough to try it?
Key Takeaways
- An Aussie shopper sparked debate after posting a photo suggesting Magnum ice creams have shrunk in size, with many agreeing the treats seem much smaller and less satisfying than they used to be.
- Several Aussies commented that what was once considered a 'mini' Magnum now appears to be the regular size, and complained about thinner chocolate coating and declining quality alongside rising prices.
- Another upset customer claimed their 500g bag of McCain frozen peas from Woolworths actually contained only 317g, prompting discussions about 'shrinkflation' and product weight accuracy.
- Shoppers were divided on whether Woolworths or the manufacturer McCains were to blame for the underweight peas, with some expecting supermarkets to have better quality control and others saying the issue lies with the supplier.
Have you noticed your favourite snacks or groceries shrinking in size? Have you had a similar experience with ice creams, frozen veggies, or anything else? Share your stories, tips, and gripes in the comments below!