What’s the Issue?
In 2015, Watkins Incorporated sued McCormick, claiming the spice-maker had quietly reduced the amount of black pepper in its tins by about 25%, while keeping the tin size and price the same.
Watkins argued this practice — known as “slack‑filling” — misled shoppers. Customers saw familiar tins and assumed they held the same amount of pepper as before.
What McCormick Did
Instead of shrinking the tins, McCormick kept using the same container size. Then the company simply placed less pepper inside. The net weight was printed on the label, but the tin’s identical look gave customers the false impression that nothing changed.
McCormick defended the move. A spokesperson said the company had followed “industry standard procedures,” updated UPC codes, and informed retailers about the change.
Legal Fallout & Consumer Reaction
Consumers and Watkins filed complaints under state and federal consumer‑protection laws. They argued McCormick’s tins violated regulations that prohibit nonfunctional slack‑fill — packaging that hides empty space and misleads buyers about quantity.
In 2020, McCormick reached a class‑action settlement worth US$2.5 million related to underfilled pepper tins and grinders.
Why It Matters
The controversy shows how packaging can deceive — even when labels appear accurate. Shoppers trusted the familiar tins. They expected the same product, at the same price. Instead, they got less pepper for the same money.
It also spotlighted larger issues in the spice industry: transparency, honest communication, and fair trade practices. When companies shrink quantity without obvious price or container changes, consumers lose trust.
What’s Happened Since
In recent years, McCormick has updated its packaging in other product lines. For example, its “red‑cap” bottles got a fresh redesign with new SnapTight lids and recyclable materials — changes aimed at freshness and sustainability.
These moves suggest McCormick is responding to evolving consumer expectations around transparency, freshness, and environmental impact.