Netizens speak out on rising prices and shrinking portions in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Netizens have taken to social media platforms to voice their concerns regarding the escalating cost of living in the city-state.

This occurred after a disgruntled customer expressed his disappointment on Reddit upon purchasing a S$4.20 chicken rice take-out from Broadway Coffeeshop, only to find the serving size significantly diminished.

On Monday (22 January), the individual shared the experience of paying for more but receiving significantly less from the take-out meal.

Expressing dismay over the “shrinkflation,” he questioned the value of money, which sparked a wave of online responses echoing his disappointment.

Responses to inflation and smaller food portions on Facebook

On Wednesday (24 January), Gutzy picked up on the story, amplifying the discourse surrounding inflation and the diminishing quantities of food.

A quick glance at the comment section on Facebook reveals a chorus of voices echoing their frustration, with many users attesting to their own encounters with reduced portions despite escalating prices.

“Yes, food quantity has been significantly reduced as well especially when price remain the same,” remarked one commenter.

While another noted that it is “normal to see price increases and quantity decreases!”

Critics didn’t just stop at quantity; some users criticized the quality of the meals, likening them to scraps fit for a stray animal.

“You need at least 3x the portion to be considered anything just NEAR decent. Which means rightly speaking, you are paying close to $13 for a pathetic chicken rice,” he wrote, emphasizing the disparity between price and perceived value.

Amidst the discussion, one user emphasized that exchange rates do not determine economic success or purchasing power.

Even with the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) to Singapore dollar (SGD) exchange rate being high, it would only mean that it is cheaper to buy things overseas but not necessarily to spend in Singapore.

Some users pointed to the broader economic landscape, citing the rising costs of utilities despite efforts to conserve them.

“You are taught and encouraged by the PAP Government to conserve water and electricity. Doing that religiously, you still see your water and power bills rising.

“What’s next? Use water and power on alternate days? What kind of life is the PAP Government carving out for increasing number of Singaporeans?” the user wrote.

Additionally, a few individuals also recommended reporting the incident to The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), suggesting that the incident be escalated into a civil suit.

The user wrote, “Let this be a warning to other food vendors who wish to resort to the same tactics to think twice.”