Posted 3 February 2024

Is it just me/ have you noticed?

Slices of bread

This week pre-sliced bread in all supermarkets changed. Medium loafs used to have 24 slices per loaf ...they now have 20.


In the world of everything is broken, it doesn’t seem like a showstopper, but think of every household that now has less slices per loaf.


Guessing this is a reversed shrinkflation...still getting an 800g loaf, but it will run out quicker!
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  1. melted's avatar
    The weight of a loaf of bread used to be regulated by law since 1822, but that was scrapped in 2008, prior to that it had to be a multiple of 400 grams.

    The weight was reduced from 1lbs to 14oz in WW2 to save flour, 14 oz was rounded to 400g post metrification.



    bakeryandsnacks.com/Art…nge (edited)
    MadeDixonsCry's avatar
    I love trivia like this. I think it's very important for this kind of knowledge to be kept in the limelight, and not hidden by those with an agenda. Thanks for commenting.
  2. MonkeyMan90's avatar
    Out of curiosity how did you know how many slices there were? I've never once in the many years of buying bread ever noticed how many slices there are
    plebbygiraffe's avatar
    Not only did they do it once, they've done it at least 7 times because they've stated that this is in all supermarkets. And that's if we're kind and assume this related to one brand of bread, or perhaps own label bread only.

    It could be they've gone and counted Hovis, Kingsmill, own label, Warburtons - the lot!
  3. ApolloCreedXXX's avatar
    I must say i haven't noticed my regular loaf getting shorter, one of the things what hasn't shrunk nowadays.
    Satchmo's avatar
    Yes, I have noticed that too, but the weight is still the same - for now !!
  4. IAmATeaf's avatar
    Crisps, toothpaste, toilet roll, kitchen towel… the list goes on.

    Does feel like one is being legally scammed truth be told but I suppose either way prices would need to be increased.
  5. crevitz215's avatar
    I have been spoilt by the bloomer style breads. Dirt cheap, and stonker slices.
    So tbh, I’ll probably enjoy a thicker slice when the missus tries to punish with a “normal” loaf
  6. Wongy111's avatar


  8. Mark_Hickman's avatar
    Wouldn't that just make the medium equivalent to a thick ?
    Or have they shrunk the actual size/weight ?
    TristanDeCoonha's avatar
    By making the slice thicker you'll go through the bread quicker, thus boosting profits. Less production cost as there are now 4 less blades to replace, and no-one can accuse them of shrinkflation as the weight is still the same. Easy win for them. You'll now buy an extra loaf for every 5 you would have bought before, increasing turnover and profit by almost 17% for the sake of a tweak
  9. dorey69's avatar
    Yes I’ve noticed that my brown loaf is shorter on a medium sliced loaf.
  10. DJSlime's avatar
    I chuck away nearly a whole loaf every week because my partner has 4 slices of toast and I eat wraps. She doesn't even eat the end slice, that's the best one. (edited)
    HellriderUKDeals69's avatar
    It's best before, so would last another week in the fridge
  11. Tyrone_H_'s avatar
    They still fit perfectly in the plastic trays though, so have they reduced enough slices to get another row of loafs in
    TristanDeCoonha's avatar
    The overall size is the same. It is the size of the slice that has changed, encouraging faster product consumption
  12. tom1234321's avatar
    Little different, but Lidl has reduced the size of their fresh bloomers. They also reduced the price though from £1.99 to £1.79 (in my lidl anyway). I don't mind this though works out better for me.
  13. Satchmo's avatar
    I have noticed that the slices are slightly smaller and thicker, as they do not stick out of my toaster like they used too. I think the next step will be reducing the weight from the 800gm which I think they have been that since decimalisation ? Problem is what can we do, we are all fully aware of their actions, and its across the board on all products, keeping the price steady but reducing the product !!!
  14. Mark_Hickman's avatar
    Its been 20 slices on medium for over a decade for kingsmill
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