‘You can’t even say it anymore’: Woman opens can of Walmart sardines, and what’s inside has her rethinking a classic phrase

A Walmart shopper from Charleston, South Carolina, posted a video on TikTok that has now been viewed over 1.2 million times. The video shows her opening a can of Great Value sardines, and what she found inside has people talking about shrinkflation. The shopper, Peterra (@peterraaa), believes the store is putting less product in the cans while keeping the same price.

According to Bro Bible, when she opened the can, there were only four large sardines floating in a clear, yellowish liquid. She picked one up to show how much empty space was left in the container. The can clearly had room for more fish. Her on-screen text said it perfectly: “Shrinkflation has gotten so crazy you can’t even say ‘packed like sardines’ anymore.”

Shrinkflation is when companies reduce the amount of product in a package but keep the price the same. This happens when inflation affects their costs. Instead of raising prices, they quietly give you less product. This keeps customers in the dark about what they’re actually getting for their money.

The sardine shortage isn’t just bad luck

Walmart’s Great Value Sardines in Water cost just over $1 for about 3.75 ounces. The cans don’t list how many fish should be inside, but Peterra remembers getting more fish before. Many shoppers in the comments agreed with her. One viewer said the cans “Used to be 8 now it’s only 4.” Another person confirmed this, saying it was six sardines for a few months in between.

Shrinkflation isn’t just affecting sardines. Shoppers have noticed less product in everything from McDonald’s fries to Ritz crackers, Raising Cane’s chicken fingers, and even Cheesecake Factory cake slices. Many people are now sharing their shrunken purchases on TikTok and calling for boycotts of brands that do this. This isn’t the first time Walmart shoppers have raised concerns about pricing controversies at the retail giant.

Some commenters offered different explanations. One person suggested that demand went up, but companies aren’t hiring more workers or can’t produce fish fast enough. Another long-time sardine buyer said the cans have been like this for a few years, possibly since the COVID years. One Walmart shopper even checked a can she bought six months ago, and it also had only four sardines.

Other shoppers have also exposed how stores use pricing tactics that can cost customers more money. Whether the change happened recently or a few years ago, shoppers are clearly frustrated with getting less for their money.