Slim-Fast

Are they out of their minds? Slim-Fast has taken downsizing to a whole new level. First, they go from 6 cans to 4 bottles, and then they reduce the amount in the bottles from 11 ounces to 10 ounces. What used to cost 7.5 cents an ounce, now cost 12.5 cents an ounce. That's a whopping 65% increase! Their greed just cost them a customer. And no longer will I be purchasing any of their other products: Lipton, Wish-Bone, Dove, Hellmann's, Vaseline and Axe.

Like many others, I am disgusted with Unilever's move to change containers and raise the price. It is the same story that others tell - I buy the six-pack of 11-oz cans from Wal-Mart at $5.48, but they changed to a four-pack of 10-oz bottles and the price is the same! I buy two packs per week. I have not made a move to other products yet. I have stayed with Slim-Fast, but I made one vow - I would never buy Slim-Fast again without a coupon. I get two each month from Slim-Fast online and order coupons in bulk on eBay. So far, I have not purchased one product without a coupon. The new container is much harder to open, easy to tip over, and is not easily recycled. The whole new packaging is a bad idea for Unilever!

I was the biggest fan drinking Slim Fast daily and have stopped. The new bottle is hard to open and you can not drink on the run out of the bottle because it cuts your lips. Bad move on Slim Fast packaging.

The new 10oz bottled Slim Fast is not only more expensive than the 11oz can, but they require 3 steps to open (instead of one, making it more difficult for some people). You cannot drink from them or risk cutting your lip. They contain more cholesterol and more sodium, taste more watery, yet magically retained the same amount of calories, protein and fiber as the larger can size. This is a giant step downward for the company. We will no longer be purchasing the liquid Slim Fast products.

I am a regular user of Slim Fast. I purchased a carton of 4 with bar code number 0 08346 12203 3. One bottle in this carton was spoiled and not fit to drink. The bottle had not been previously opened. This information may help your quality control to identify a potential problem. Please confirm via email or telephone that you received this message.

Drank a Slim-Fast Strawberry shake about 30 minutes after I got to feeling so bad, my head hurt. I was sick to my stomach and really have felt strange all day.

I am a senior citizen with arthritis in both hands. This new container is a nightmare. I must use a knife to cut the plastic wrap on the top, and then I use small pliers to pull up the foil, peel-off top. This takes time, causes me pain, and the "unkindest cut of all" is that the product is more expensive. I used the pop-top cans for years. I will be forced to buy other brands that are in an easy-open can, which is recyclable. This new container is a bad mistake.

New Unilever Slim-Fast Liquid in plastic bottles: if you dare to drink directly from the bottle, beware, the bottle may slice your top lip open. The plastic is extremely sharp, all bottles. Pour it in a glass.

Slim-Fast packaging is in #7 plastic. Are not noted as bio-degradable. The size is smaller, therefore the price increase is more significant than the sticker might indicate.

Other - contains all types of plastics not listed under 1-6. Many of these plastics may be safe but Polycarbonates (Trade name LEXAN) which contains Bisphenol A is also listed under category 7 so be careful. Bisphenol A (aka BPA) are endocrine disrupters, which mimic hormones. They may cause havoc on human hormones through plastics leaching into hot beverages and may also be a potential carcinogen. Do not use these products with infants and small children and never use them to heat liquids or formula.

*NOTE: Not all category #7 plastics include the BPA toxin. Group #7 also includes compostable plastics made of organic material such as corn, which may actually be more environmentally friendly than most general plastics. Most of these biodegradable cups are typically labeled to inform you of their eco-product nature.

I consider the new packaging a big drawback. The old container was 11 oz, the new one is 10 oz. It was one step to open the old container (pop the top). The new container has a plastic seal you'll need fingernails to rip off. Then there's the twist-off cap. Then there's the foil seal to remove. The old container is recyclable, the new one is not. Great product, poor packaging.

I have been searching the stores for the $9.99 12 pack of cans, I am used to getting at Wal-Mart. I do not drink the shakes to lose weight, but rather to get the vitamins. I never have much of an appetite, and sometimes find myself not eating for a couple of days in a row. So I have gotten in the habit of grabbing a can on my way out the door in the morning and maybe having one in the evening, if I am not hungry enough to eat.

I ran out of the cans during my search for them, and ended up forgetting to make sure I ate. I only want to maintain being healthy, and keep getting the vitamins needed. I am completely disturbed to find out that the SF cans were pulled off the shelves, and replaced with bottle that contains less product, for more than a 50% increase in price.

I will not purchase the SF bottles at this outrageous price. Sf just lost a loyal customer of over 5 yrs. Instead I will switch to another brand that is sold at the price I am used to paying.

In the economically down time that we are in, why do companies think that giving a consumer less product for more money is an option? That is bad business practice, and certainly, a company looking out for their consumers' best interest. We already can not afford more than necessities. What makes companies think, that raising the price on a product that isn't a necessity, is going to fly? I cancelled Netflix when they tried it, and I am no longer a loyal customer of SF either, as a result.

I also agree with previous recent posts regarding the change in packaging of Slim Fast. I've been trying to find the cans for weeks to no avail, and now I have learned why. Less product for more money equals bad business. Change it back, Slim Fast. Or I will likely not buy the product as I used to.

Slim-Fast changed their packaging from six 11 oz cans to four 10 oz cans. That was a 61% decrease in product for the same price. It was ridiculous. I think that everyone who agrees should go to the Slimfast.com website and put your comments in the "Success Stories" section so that they can get a sense of how many former customers are disappointed and outraged at their audacity.

I have to rate this a one star, even though you guys offer a 5 star product. I been using your products for over 7 years and I have to say I am very disappointed to the way you took the product off the shelves and called it a new design, take 1 oz off the container and 4 bottles of the original 12 pack. I'm sorry to say but if something doesn't change soon, I will be forced to use an alternative product, like a store brand product. I been loyal to you guys all of these 7 years and you owe us. Reduce the price or increase the number of bottles per case.

It was worse than a rip-off. Congratulations, Unilever! Less per bottle, fewer bottles per pack, higher price for less+fewer. And you market them as "on-the-go." I used to grab a can of SF from the fridge on the way out the door in the morning, head down road, shake, and pop top with one hand and drink the 11 oz. Then I flip the steel can in the recycle bin at work and be done with it.

Now I have an "on-the-go" plastic bottle shaped to appear larger than it is but with a compressed and flattened middle. Is this designed to look better? To be easier to grip? Are people having trouble gripping a cylindrical can? And the pop-top was replaced with a plastic screw top. Sure, lots of people will not finish the 10 oz in one sitting but rather will have a need to screw the top back on after drinking 5 oz for breakfast and saving the other 5 for a late-night snack. After unscrewing the plastic cap, which takes two hands, I now have to assault a tin foil seal to finally get to my 10 oz of SF. This is so on-the-go.

Now, let's talk about plastic. The cap is useless, and it's made of the least biodegradable kind of plastic--the kind that rules the Pacific Ocean garbage patch. "Patch?" It's bigger than Texas! And Unilever wants it bigger. This is the type of plastic that kills albatrosses, sea turtles, etc., because it takes a million years to break down. When the albatross dies, its carcass decomposes around the plastic cap which is then liberated to keep killing for centuries to come.

So, let's review: Less product, fewer containers, higher price, harder to hold, harder to open, falls down and rolls around in the fridge, and citizens pay more at the end of the waste stream. Hey, Unilever execs, I hope discarded SF bottles clog up the engines of your yachts and leave you stranded at sea. Our taxes can then pay for the Coast Guard to come tow you home. And may the Occupy Wall Street gang poop on the doorstep of your corporate headquarters. I'll never buy SF or any of your products ever again. And I'm selling my stock in your obnoxious company. Drop dead.

Slim-Fast has increased their prices by 33% in a disgusting manner. They originally came in 6 packs of 11 oz. cans for somewhere around $5.00-$5.50 per pack. They have now repackaged and have reduced the size from 11 oz. to 10 oz. Most importantly, they now come in 4 packs at around $5.75 for the 4-pack. Please send a message to Slim-Fast that we will not stand for their underhanded double-whammy increase. Boycott Slim-Fast and send a message to Unilever that you are doing so. Netflix didn't get away with it, nor should they.

I too have been drinking SlimFast cappuccino for years. The new bottles are awful: less product, fewer units per package, and a significantly higher price than previously. I am paying a much higher price for less than I previously received. It's a scam, and the company is taking advantage of consumers. Old packaging: 6-11ounce cans for approximately $1 each. New packaging: 4-10 ounce bottles for approximately $1.75 each. Less product, more money. A rip-off.

I've been using Slim-Fast cappuccino flavor for years. I've always paid $5.42 per 6-pack of cans (66 total ounces). Now they only have bottles, which are 10 ounces each and only 4 to a pack. So I'd be getting 40 ounces vs. 66 ounces. And to add insult to injury, the price is even more, $6.49 for the new 4-pack!

Bottom line, that's a 51% price increase. Didn't they learn from Netflix? Customers won't stand for this.

I started dieting on the first of September. I was using the ready to use shakes in a can from Slim Fast, 2 per day. After about 2 days, I had severe indigestion, but continued on with the shakes for a week. After a week, I cut back to just one a day and added an extra salad. The indigestion seemed to get a little better. Over the weeks the severity would come and go, so I didn't read that much into it. Over the last week, it became much more severe and I was also very tired, dizzy and nauseated.

On Saturday, Oct. 16th, it was the worst. All day I felt really bad. Around 8:30 p.m., I had two stabbing pains in my left chest and almost passed out. I went immediately to bed and stayed the rest of the night. The next day I could barely get up and even walk to the bathroom. On Sunday night, Oct. 17th, around 11:30 p.m. I had more pain, this time more of a pinch and twist pain on the left side and then again about 1:30 a.m. At 2:40 a.m. I got up to use the bathroom and became very dizzy and nauseated I feared I would pass out before I could get back to the bed. I was sweating profusely, cold and all my color had drained from my body. I did make it back to the bed and after a few minutes I felt well enough to send my husband a message (he works nights). He messaged me back and was on his way home.

I have a disabled child that lives at home and requires me to care for her 24/7. What if I had passed out in the bathroom and cracked my head on the tub, toilet or anything? What would she have done at home alone in the middle of the night?

My husband got me and carried me to the local emergency room where they assumed I had had a heart attack. I was released yesterday after tons of testing including ultrasound of the heart and nuclear stress test. My heart is 100% healthy. thank God, the pain was caused from the severe indigestion. I am now on medicine (protonics) for the reflux that has been irritated by the Slim Fast. Obviously there is still an issue with the stuff. Over the years, I have used Slim Fast numerous times to lose a little here and there and have never had any sort of problem until now. What is it going to take to get this company to do it right? How many people have to get ill before they really fix things?

Update: I have finally received my full refund from Unilever for their bacterial contaminated Slimfast product. It took eight months (since December 09) repeated phone calls and complaint letters and forms. My advice is do not give up because that is just what Unilever wants you to do. Do what I did, file formal complaints with the Attorney General Office of Consumer Protection in both your state of residence and in the state of New Jersey where Unilever is located. Also file a complaint with the state of New Jersey Better Business Bureau. You can do all these filings on line. It is worth the time and trouble to get what you are due and send the message to Unilever that they will not get away with cheating consumers.

When the Slim-Fast recall came out, I had about 30 cans. I called the number given and followed the direction which had me leave my information and the number of cans. Then the message told me to throw it all away, so I did. That was way back in December 2009. I still haven't gotten a refund. I have not received my monies.

In December 2009, I called the Unilever/Slim-Fast 800 number to request a refund for the 62 cans of bacteria-contaminated Slim-Fast product I had purchased just prior to the nationwide recall. The automated recording instructed callers to leave their name, address, telephone number, and a count of cans on hand. The recording instructed callers to dispose of any cans of the product. The recording did not offer an opportunity to speak to a real person nor did it ask for any proof of purchase. I left all the requested information.

I had 48 cans in eight brand-new unopened cases plus 14 loose cans in my refrigerator, 62 cans in all. I had just purchased the last 4 cases three days prior to the announced recall, so I still had the sales receipt. I do not have the sales receipt for the prior 4 cases plus the 14 loose cans. However, I do have all 8 UPC codes from the cases, as I wisely thought to save the cases after disposing of the product as instructed. After 12 weeks without response from Unilever and numerous calls to various Unilever telephone numbers without success, on March 12, 2010, I filed formal complaints with the Oregon Department of Justice, The Better Business Bureau of New Jersey, and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

A few weeks later, I received a check from Slim-Fast for $20.40, which was $41.28 less than what I was owed. I paid $5.98 per case at 99.6 per can = $61.68. I have sent the check back to Unilever Consumer Services at Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 and requested a new check for the correct amount. In the letter I enclosed with the returned check, I advised Unilever that they "have chosen to cheat the wrong person."

I suggest to everyone who has not yet received their refund and/or who was also cheated out of a complete refund to send complaints to the Attorney General, Consumer Affairs Division of their own state, plus the state of New Jersey. They must also file with the New Jersey BBB. I also complained to my local CBS TV station.

The consumer protection reporter has sent me a written request, asking to conduct an on-camera interview. I am holding off on doing this to see if my correct refund arrives soon.

I got sick Thanksgiving morn throwing up etc. I hadn't been feeling good for awhile but I thought might be the flu or some kind of bug going around. I went to the doctor & he sent me for a blood test which was $150. He also gave me antibiotics. My stomach is just now getting back to normal size. It looked like I was 3 to 4 months pregnant. I have a letter from B.J. 's stating they have me on file buying the recalled cans & I bought many cases. I had two cases left. I called Slim Fast to see how to get a refund & never talked to a real person. I left all my info & details.

When I got no response after a few months went by, I called them & left a message saying I had to get the blood test, that I had been ill etc. Slim Fast left a message on my phone two days ago & they gave me a case number & asked me to return their call. I haven't done so as yet as I am so angry that it has taken this long for them to respond. I finally took the two cases back to B.J.'s where I exchanged them for the "new" Slim Fast. I spent Thanksgiving home alone as I was afraid of giving the flu to my family. If I had been informed there was a recall sooner, I would have known the culprit & been able to at least try to enjoy the holiday & be around family. This is another big cold-hearted company that doesn't give a hoot about their life long customers or people in general.

In early April, I did receive a second check, but this time for only $16. So even with the confirmation they requested, they were still reimbursing me only about $0.50 per can when it cost me closer to $1 per can to buy them originally. I tried contacting Slim-Fast to register my disappointment, and so far the only reply, which make me think they did not even read my message, was they there are going to send me a letter requesting confirmation of the number of cans I had.

When the Slim Fast recall came out, I have 22 can, so I called and the message stated to throw out your cans (which I didn't) and that I would get a refund in 6 to 8 weeks. I called again and this time the message stated that you have to either have the cans, the UPC or pictures of the cans to get a refund. I still have not heard anything back. I think it is the company's plan to have people either forget or throw away the cans, so no refund can be given.

I became ill after drinking Slim Fast for breakfast in Aug.09. I was in a mall when I became nauseous and vomited before passing out and having diarrhea. The ambulance took me to ER. In my medical records, the doctor states "certainly the cause of her syncope and injury was a direct consequence of her vomiting and is likely related to gastroenteritis".

I also have my receipt for my Slim Fast purchase one week prior to my incident. When I heard about the recall, I truly believe this was the cause of my illness. I called Unilever and sent them the information they requested. Now what? Do I need a lawyer? My bill amounted to $12,000, since I have no insurance I only had to pay $5,000.

I asked for the money from the recall on the 2nd day they put it out. We had 59 cans, all purchased in packages of 6. Here these in a 6 pack cost $5.97 plus tax, that's almost a dollar a can before tax. The recall said to empty the cans and we did, down the drain, and put the empty cans in the trash which we did. Now I get a letter with a $10 check and a demand for proof that I had 59 cans before I will get the remaining money they owe me.

In the original recall, you published and they had on their web site, nothing was said about proof. Now, they want receipt, upc code numbers off the cans, or a photo of the 59 cans. Since they did not originally ask for proof, I am a bit aggravated at the demand for it now. Maybe some people asked for 100's of cans in refund and were lying, but they should have thought about that to begin with. I did send a very nasty letter back to them with the marked up check that I will not cash, demanding the money they said they owe me and I know it cost a lot more than a paltry ten dollars for 59 cans.

I am out the cost of 59 cans, approximately $59 at the most, plus I will now refrain from using any of the products with the Slim Fast name and any other product that I can find that is produced by the same company.

Slim Fast recalled my products and on that first day, I called and left all the information for my refund. It was never received. I called them again over 8 weeks later and I was told that it was never put in the system and that somebody would contact me by phone or email and that they would try to expedited the refund so that I won't be penalized for them not initially processing my phone message. It has now been another 10 days and I have heard nothing and received no refund from Slim Fast. I believe they are deliberately dropping calls in efforts to save money. I had 36 cans of low carb Slim Fast at $7.00 for 4 cans that refund of $63.00. I want my money now. They said they would get it to me ASAP. Please help me get my money back.