Sam’s Club Shopper Opens Frito-Lay Variety Pack, Finds Only 5 Chips Inside: “I Crash Out About Less!”
DALLAS, TEXAS — A Sam’s Club shopper says her snack-time excitement quickly turned to frustration after opening a Frito-Lay Sour Cream & Onion chip bag from a variety pack — only to find barely five chips inside. The viral moment, captured on TikTok, has reignited debate over how much “air” chip makers leave in their packaging and whether shrinkflation is quietly eating away at snack lovers’ wallets.
Viral Video Shows Shockingly Empty Chip Bag
In a video with more than 197,000 views, TikToker Masey (@masey.wc) shared her disbelief after opening what appeared to be a nearly empty snack-size bag from a Frito-Lay variety pack she bought at Sam’s Club. “Okay, I just got this pack from Sam’s,” she said while holding up the box. “I took out the first bag of chips.” The bag, which was supposed to contain Lay’s Sour Cream & Onion chips, appeared to hold only a handful. The text overlay read, “IKYFLLLLLLL,” short for “I know you [expletive] lying.” In her caption, Masey tagged @lays and wrote, “Now you know better.”
Why Chip Bags Contain So Much “Air”
While it might seem like false advertising, experts say the air inside chip bags isn’t really air at all — it’s nitrogen gas, which helps preserve freshness and prevents chips from breaking during shipping. According to Food Republic, this practice is known as “slack fill,” and it’s legally permitted as long as the bag’s weight matches the listed amount. The Food and Drug Administration allows slack fill if it serves a functional purpose. However, some brands use more air than others. A 2018 study by Kitchen Cabinet Kings found that chip bags average 43% air, with Cheetos topping the list at 59%, while Fritos used just 19%.
Shrinkflation: The Hidden Snack Price Hike
Adding to consumer frustration is shrinkflation, the quiet downsizing of product quantities without lowering prices. Analysts say it’s hit the snack aisle especially hard. According to CNN, the price per ounce of chips jumped 36% between 2020 and 2024, compared to a 21% increase in overall grocery prices. Doritos bags reportedly lost about five chips per bag, while Tostitos “Hint of Lime” dropped from 13 to 11 ounces in 2021. Public pressure eventually pushed PepsiCo, which owns Lay’s, Doritos, Tostitos, and Ruffles, to increase product sizes again in 2024 — including 20% “bonus” bags for the same price.
Social Media Reacts: “Everything Is Getting Smaller”
Viewers quickly chimed in with their own experiences and frustrations. “Boycott all of these companies playing in our faces!” one user commented. Another wrote, “Everything is getting smaller right under our noses.” Some offered practical advice, suggesting that customers contact the manufacturer. “Call the number on the bag or email them — they’ll send you coupons,” one person noted. Others said both Sam’s Club and Frito-Lay are known to offer refunds or replacements for defective or misleading packages.
As of publication, Frito-Lay’s parent company PepsiCo had not commented on the viral post, though similar customer complaints have surfaced nationwide. For now, the viral moment stands as a lighthearted reminder of a growing consumer issue — and proof that even a small bag of chips can stir up a big conversation.
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