Calling all spice lovers! Did you know that the size of a spice tin can have a big impact on what you’re actually getting? It’s true! In fact, some of the biggest spice companies, like McCormick & Co., are currently facing lawsuits over this very issue.

A smaller company called Watkins Inc. has accused McCormick of reducing the amount of pepper in their tins by 25%, all while keeping the tin size the same. This means that even though the tins may look identical, you’re actually getting less pepper than you might have thought.

But why does this matter? Well, it comes down to one important thing: fairness and honesty. Watkins claims that McCormick is trying to deceive people into thinking they’re getting more pepper than they actually are. The tins from McCormick are not transparent, making it impossible to see how much pepper is inside. On the other hand, Watkins sells smaller tins that contain the exact same amount of pepper as McCormick’s.

Watkins argues that McCormick is using these deceptive packaging tactics instead of focusing on improving the quality of their product. While McCormick’s tins claim to have 6 ounces of pepper, the small and hard-to-read font makes it difficult for consumers to notice this right away.

This misleading practice, known as “slack-filling,” is seen as dishonest and a violation of consumer protection rules. By not filling their tins to the brim, McCormick is shortchanging customers without their knowledge. Not only does this affect the value for money, but it also makes it challenging to accurately compare different spice products.

So, the next time you find yourself shopping for spices, pay close attention to the packaging. Don’t be fooled by the size of the tin – what truly matters is what’s inside!