Good things come in small packages? Not quite

YONKERS, N.Y. — It seems that Americans' everyday items are getting a little smaller.

According to a new survey by Consumer Reports, many packaged goods are being scaled back as suppliers face increased energy costs, as well as rising prices of ingredients. Tod Marks, senior editor and resident shopping expert at Consumer Reports, said that higher commodity and fuel costs are expected to spike in food prices by as much as 3% this year.

The report cited that such products as Ivory dish detergent shrank from its 30-oz. bottle to a new 24-oz. bottle, while containers of Haagen Dazs ice cream, which once were 16 oz., now tout a 14-oz. size. Both companies' customer service representatives cited increased costs of either raw materials or ingredients as what prompted the size changes.

In light of this, Consumer Reports suggested that consumers compare different brands and store brands with typically purchased items, examine unit prices and buy in bulk while shopping. The report also encouraged shoppers to contact the company about the downsizing of packages.

The full report is featured in the magazine's February issue, now available on newsstands.