When you shop for groceries, or personal hygiene items, do you read labels? If you do, are you aware that you are constantly being ‘ripped-off?’ Whether or not your grocery bill is the same as before some changes were made; you are paying approximately 25 percent more than you did before.

Let’s begin with the basic item most American already know; breakfast cereal. Open a large box of your favorite cereal, and the first 25 percent is empty. Packaging makes you believe that you are receiving a lot for your money, but, ‘ha, ha, we fooled you.’

Now let’s look at some of the more subtle rip-offs.

Do you eat bacon? Are you aware that you are paying the same amount or more as you did previously for 12 ounces instead of a pound? This is another effort by big business to increase their profits at your expense.

What about Ice Cream? This dessert previously came in a ‘one-half-gallon container. That’s not the case today; there are only 32 ounces of that wonderful confection in the container.

I have been using the same bar soap in my shower for approximately 40 years. It is now concave, and the manufacturer says it is ‘more compatible to our hands.’ Bullshit! It removes 25 percent of the soap when it was round.

For many items we have no choice. In my area we have a store which offers ‘bulk foods.’ We do not pay for packaging and save hundreds of dollars each year.

Two agencies whose only purpose is to protect American consumers are not doing their job. The FDA, ‘Food and Drug Administration,’ and the CPA, ‘Consumer Protection Agency,’ are failing the American people.

Has anyone heard about this in the mainstream media? You never will.

This may not seem important to many of you; in reality it is not the most critical issue facing the American people, but it is symbolic. Big business places profits before people. The percentage is somewhat upsetting. A twenty-five-percent increase in the product’s price is huge. What would you be able to do for your family with a twenty-five-percent raise in your wages?

Whenever possible the American people should buy from a ‘bulk foods’ store. Also ‘name brands’ should be avoided whenever possible, although I have discovered that “Great Value” products are not such a ‘great value.’

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of Sean MacEntee

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