Consumer Reports recently published a taste test they conducted on store brand foods verses national label products. They found that many store brands were just as good when compared to their big brand counterparts.
Store brands can save families a bundle of money (up to 30% of their grocery bill) because stores don't need to advertise their "private" labels. The money saved on costly advertising campaigns is passed on to the customer. Sure, you might see Schunck's and Dierberg's pitch their private labels in a store circular, but that's about it.
So what's a store brand or a private label? Some store brands are easy to spot, since they bear the name of the grocer. Schnuck's, Dierberg's and Trader Joe's use this simple approach, probably because customers already associate the store's name with quality. Other store brands, like Shop N Save's "Culinary Circle" and "Wild Harvest" are meant to look just like a national brand with nice artwork--conveying the image of a quality product.
Walmart has reverted back to the bare-bones packaging first used by generic products. According to a 2009 press release, the retail giant wanted to make their private label products easy to spot in the store and have a uniform appearance.
The secret that shoppers have been discovering is that many private label products are made by the same companies that make national brands. ConAgra and Sara Lee make items for Walmart's Great Value. Pricey EarthGrains bakes bread for thrifty Save-a-Lot.
Unfortunately, no one will tell you who makes what, so it's up to the consumer to do their own taste testing. Generally speaking, your best bet when trying private labels are basic food items like baking supplies (flour, sugar, salt), simple breads (hamburger buns, saltines, white bread) dairy (milk, butter, cheese), and canned vegetables.
Products with special seasoning or complex recipes need to be taste tested first before you know if they can replace brand names in your home. Some things, like Cheez-Its, Coca Cola, Peter Pan Peanut Butter and Pop Tarts just can't be copied.
Comments
I don't even hesitate to buy off-label when it comes to baking goods and things like that.
This is something that I believe I instinctively new as I experimented with brands, in part due to budget. I'll also say that a lot of store brands may be better insomuch as they don't always have the unhealthy additives I find in national brands. For instance, I've noticed that Giant Eagle brand canned vegetables tend not to add the high-fructose corn syrup I'll find in national brands.
For the most parts, I exclusively buy store brand. However, there are a few things I won't scrimp on-cleaning supplies topping the list. Cleaning supplies DO get watered down. I also won't buy store brand cheese slices. Ick!
Thanks Consumer Reports and you for letting me know it is okay to get generic label/store brands than national brands. I usually get what I like, but I am always willing to try store brands. I love Costco's Kirkland brand it is sometimes even better than national brands.
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