SINGAPORE: A trending complaint is making waves on social media

as a frustrated customer took to a public forum on Thursday (Oct 31) to voice his displeasure regarding the drastically reduced portion size of a sausage and pancake breakfast meal at a popular fast-food chain.

After ordering the meal, the unhappy diner exclaimed, “I can’t believe the hotcake has super shrunk in size! And it costs even more now!” Accompanying his complaint were photos of the meal, visibly showcasing three considerably smaller pancakes alongside a sausage.

The incident has triggered a wave of similar complaints from fellow Singaporeans, echoing dissatisfaction with what they perceive as "shrinkflation"—an economic trend where product sizes or quantities decrease while prices remain unchanged. One commenter lamented, “Their big breakfast is no longer big, and they still call it a ‘big breakfast’!”

Another added to the conversation, noting, “Everything everywhere has shrunk. Now you’re paying more, and the food size is smaller,” while a third argued, "Sizes about the same. Costs increased, inevitable because it is in Singapore, as many costs are rising rapidly."

In a humorous twist, one commenter joked that the cutbacks might actually reflect the restaurant’s commitment to customer health. “Lower calorie version,” the user quipped sarcastically. “(They) care for you.”

This particular fast-food chain isn’t new to scrutiny over portion sizes. Earlier this year, complaints arose when a customer shared a similar experience with a “big” breakfast order that appeared meager in quantity, igniting a flurry of social media commentary. “At least shrink the box so it doesn’t look this sad,” one user wrote, pointing out the stark contrast between the meal and its packaging.

As customer dissatisfaction continues to grow, this raises important questions about transparency in portion sizes and pricing in the fast-food industry—issues that affect diners not just in Singapore but globally. With the rising cost of living and inflation impacting food prices, how do fast-food chains respond to maintain customer loyalty amidst growing complaints of shrinkflation? Are your favorites next on the chopping block? Stay tuned for updates on this food saga!