Australian children (and plenty of adults) were dismayed on Thursday at news confectionery manufacturer Nestle will be downsizing its beloved Killer Python.

The move is an attempt at portion control and pricing has been lowered accordingly, but consumer bodies warn shoppers to be wary.

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Often, companies will attempt to increase profits by cutting costs while maintaining packaging and pricing.

“It’s really important we ensure we’re still getting value for money,” Tom Godfrey from Choice says.

“If a company is going to downsize portions they need to downsize the price. The key thing to look for is the unit price so you can see how much of a product you’re actually getting.”

For your health, ensure you don’t fall into the trap of buying in bulk.

“Usually the smaller volumes can be more expensive per serving and that makes people buy bigger volumes because they think it’s more economic,” warns Aloysa Hourigan, senior nutritionist at Nutrition Australia.

This creates a problem because, as humans, we tend to eat everything that’s in front of us.

Recent offenders

Cadbury

In 2013, the chocolate brand advertised their Dairy Milk blocks as having “10 per cent extra joy”, increasing their size from 200 grams to 220 grams.

However, the original block was 250 grams until the company drastically downsized it in 2009. They also attempted to disguise the change by switching the packaging from paper to cardboard.

Freddo frogs also underwent a noticeable weight loss.

Vegemite

The popular spread was recently reduced from 400 grams to 380 grams as a result of what the company cited as “commercial pressures”.

Mars Australia

In 2009, Mars Australia decreased the size of all 90 of its products, including Snickers, Twix and Mars Bars, maintaining the unit price.

Nestle

The confectionery company reduced the size of its Club chocolate blocks by 10 per cent, but made a point of maintaining the size of its popular Kit Kat.

They highlighted this in an ad campaign that hit out at Mars Australia and Cadbury, saying: “In uncertain times like these, it’s comforting to know that Kit Kat still offers you the same sized ‘Break’ of delicious chocolate and crispy wafer.”

Uncle Tobys

Choice called out the Australian manufacturer for slashing Oat Crisp Honey cereal packets by 14 per cent while maintaining similar packaging.

While Uncle Tobys claimed the price has been cut by six per cent, Choice found that the price per 100 grams actually increased by 10 per cent.

Coca Cola

In September, Coca Cola dropped both price and portion size by introducing a new 250ml option in its soft drink range.

The slim line cans retail for $2.

Chips

Smith’s cut down their large chip packets down from 200 to 175 grams, while Red Rock Deli dropped 20 grams from their packets.

Unfortunately, Red Rock Deli maintained their prices despite the downsize.

What do you think of food resizing? Here’s what some of readers had to say about the killer python:

Say it ain’t so “@TheNewDaily_: Australia’s beloved Killer Python lollie is getting the chop http://t.co/I7kT2VhoCI”

— Brett Foley (@BrettFoley1) October 9, 2014

@BrettFoley1@TheNewDaily_ I’m heading to the tuck shop now to load up

— Kit Lowe (@kit_lowe) October 9, 2014