# Do you buy generic or store brand foods? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 22, 2012, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468 "2012-03-22T03:20:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/21 "2012-03-22T15:33:39Z")
I like the house brands and generic brands just fine. (The Princess and the Pea guy who lives here wants Land O Lakes butter ONLY and can’t understand why I don’t “just pay the extra buck” - I try to explain I only have SO MUCH cash in my wallet, and if he wants butter so bad, he’ll just have to get used to the butter that costs HALF the price of LoL.) They say Dollar Store cleaning products are as good as anything, but I haven’t found that the case - I bought a cleaning spray once that I thought was going to destroy my kitchen table, it left a frightening pitted…film…like I was spraying it with acid. I’m kind of afraid now. I buy generic or store brand laundry detergent because it works just fine for the 10 year old undies of an office worker. ---
**Author:** ![papergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/aca169/32.png) [@papergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/papergirl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/22 "2012-03-22T15:44:34Z")
I buy mostly store brands too. A lot of my groceries come from the food pantry as well, which means a ziploc of rice with a label that reads “Ingredients: rice.” We aren’t too picky around our house! I do love Trader Joe’s, but they have great prices. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/23 "2012-03-22T15:51:47Z")
It depends on the product. Only real Saltines will do; no other soda cracker compares. On the other hand, Meijer’s dairy products are superior to name brands across the board where we live (ymmv with different local dairies, I guess). Generic raisin bran is also always better than any name brand, as the OP said. It has less sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/24 "2012-03-22T16:20:38Z")
I was told this once by a Safeway manager-- quite often the “store brand” IS a name brand product, it’s just in the store brand packaging. The example he gave me was Safeway brand premium ice cream in the tub. It’s Bryers ice cream, Safeway pays Bryers for the ice cream and pays for the packaging. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/25 "2012-03-22T16:36:52Z")
There are only a handful of items I won’t buy generic/store brand: iced tea must be Luzianne, biscuit flour is White Lily, and I prefer Chock Full of Nuts coffee (when I can find it lately. And when it’s just for me. When Mr. Matata goes through spells of drinking coffee at home, I buy Dunkin Donuts brand.) I don’t buy lots of processed foods other than cereal, so rice is rice and pasta is pasta in my book. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/26 "2012-03-22T16:59:21Z")
My pantry is all white with GREAT VALUE plastered all over everything. We’re loud and proud about it because we’ve all agreed that everything tastes exactly the same. In fact, I’ve won the kids over to the “generic is great” side; they actually claim to prefer the generic … though of course, as noted above, it is probably the exact same stuff in different packaging. I will say the Walmart sandwich size ziplocks seem to be flimsier, but eh. I don’t need them to do anything more strenuous than hold sandwiches and snacks for a few hours. ---
**Author:** ![Sethcrzygy86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Sethcrzygy86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sethcrzygy86)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/27 "2012-03-22T17:05:15Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Are there people who _don’t_ buy generic or store-brand foods? Yeah they buy a box of name brand, eat it, then buy generic and dump the generic into the name brand box. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/28 "2012-03-22T17:33:43Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > I’m sick right now… and I’m drinking generic “nutrition shakes” until my appetite returns. The generic just happens to be Nestle Boost bottled by the company under a cover name at about half the cost. The rebottled Boost appears to be a regional thing-- our chain’s generic is rebottled Ensure in some other areas. How do you know what for sure that it’s Boost? Is there a website where one can look this sort of thing up? ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/29 "2012-03-22T17:47:12Z")
> [@Sethcrzygy86](#): > > Yeah they buy a box of name brand, eat it, then buy generic and dump the generic into the name brand box. LOL - I have done this. Take bagged Malt-O-Meal brand cereals, pour into empty box of corresponding brand-name cereals. \*\*Rushgeekgirl \*\*is right on about store-brand soda, though. It is just NOT the same. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/30 "2012-03-22T18:01:58Z")
> [@Rushgeekgirl](#): > > Most of the Kroger brands I’m happy with, but a few I’ve rejected: > Their version of Coke Zero is not good. > Their canned veggies seem to have more water than veggies. Their beans are just awful. > NOT a fan of their instant coffee. I am a fan of Nescafe. > > Everything else is great. Love their cheese (Kraft Deli slice generic and shredded varieties) bagged frozen chicken breasts, turkey burger patties, every frozen veggie, especially the three pepper onion blend and any plain rice or pasta. I don’t buy many packaged foods so I’m not sure about the flavored meals like the helpers and seasoned pasta/rice. My little girl loves the strawberry shredded wheat and I always get their bran flakes and oatmeal. > > I think their dishwasher packets are as good as name brand, but their toilet paper isn’t. Paper towels are just fine and so are ziplock bags but the aluminum foil is flimsy. I agree with all of the above. Except I like their Coke Zero. Their version of Nestea Cool is really bad. We always get our OTC drugs there. The prices are unbelievably low. I also like their frozen stir fry meals, ice cream, whole wheat bread, whole wheat crackers, olive oil, tea blends, and a whole grocery cart full of things I can’t think of. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/31 "2012-03-22T18:35:14Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > You mean like [this](http://image1.masterfile.com/em_w/03/69/78/600-03697886w.jpg)? I can’t get that link to work but I remember cans [like this](http://www.thomasstockwell.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/generic_cola_can_jewel.jpg). With that black and olive stripe and stencil lettering. And they kept all the generics in a single aisle so it was like some sad attempt at minimalism, pushing your cart next to “PAPER TOWELS”, “GREEN BEANS” and “COFFEE”. At least now they have store brands that try to blend in, ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/32 "2012-03-22T18:46:22Z")
Almost all of the packaged food I buy comes from Trader Joe’s and so is under their brand name. I just finished one of their Indian Fare entrees for lunch (Jaipur vegetables), which I’m positive is just rebranded Tasty Bite at half the price. ---
**Author:** ![Dublin11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Dublin11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dublin11)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/33 "2012-03-22T19:12:54Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Are there people who _don’t_ buy generic or store-brand foods? If there weren’t, there would be no manufacturer’s brands of anything on the shelves. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/34 "2012-03-22T19:15:52Z")
There are a small handful of products where I insist on some specific brand, but other than that, I buy whatever’s cheapest. > [@](#): > > Albertson’s seems to cut costs by not having QC for its store brands, so I try to avoid shopping at Albertson’s except for emergencies, and then I’ll buy the name brand. Albertson’s has three tiers of store brands, and it varies from item to item: In some cases the lower tiers are fine, but in others you have to go to the high tier. And their soft drinks are actually pretty good: Their cola isn’t as good as Pepsi but better than Coke, and their root beer is the best I’ve found in a two-liter bottle (obviously the ones in glass bottles like IBC are better, but much more expensive). I hardly ever shop there any more, though, since I’ve discovered that Town and Country is significantly cheaper across the board. ---
**Author:** ![mcgato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@mcgato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mcgato)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/35 "2012-03-22T19:25:37Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > I was told this once by a Safeway manager-- quite often the “store brand” IS a name brand product, it’s just in the store brand packaging. The example he gave me was Safeway brand premium ice cream in the tub. It’s Bryers ice cream, Safeway pays Bryers for the ice cream and pays for the packaging. The Safeway ice cream may be made at the same place as Breyers, but I am certain that it is not the same as Breyers. It will have a different formulation and may have different processing conditions. Not saying that it is better or worse, but it is different. Yes I work for a huge multinational food company. On the subject of canned veggies, the name brand green beans will have plumper green beans than the store brand green beans. I don’t know if that affects the flavor, but I suspect that it does. Yes I worked a summer canning green beans and saw what beans went into what can. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/36 "2012-03-22T19:47:06Z")
> [@mcgato](#): > > On the subject of canned veggies, the name brand green beans will have plumper green beans than the store brand green beans. I don’t know if that affects the flavor, but I suspect that it does. Yes I worked a summer canning green beans and saw what beans went into what can. My husband and I are convinced that the Del Monte green beans you buy in eight-packs from Sams’ Club have far more stems and skinny beans than the individual Del Monte cans from regular grocery stores. Possible? ---
**Author:** ![mrbruce56](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mrbruce56](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrbruce56)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/37 "2012-03-22T20:03:00Z")
I buy mostly generic brands. They usually have the exact same ingredients as their more expensive counterparts. For example, the contact solution I use which is generic is half the price of the name brand stuff. It is the same product, and even my eye doctor approved it. ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/38 "2012-03-22T20:07:58Z")
Depends on the product. My wife prefers the Lucky brand (Sunny Select, I think?) waffles to the name-brand Eggo. But some other things we like the name brand better (nonfat yogurt, for one). I’m not going to buy something worse just because it’s cheaper, but I’m also not going to spend more for no reason. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/39 "2012-03-22T21:32:10Z")
> [@PapSett](#): > > I sure do! I find most times it’s just as good as the name brand stuff. There are _some_ things that are not- taco flavored Doritos will NEVER be equaled, but yeah… I save buck wherever I can. Yeah, Doritos is one of the few things I will never ever buy the generic version of. The texture is always off, and they put on way too much seasoning, so you get a big blast of stale cheese flavor, but not much else. Heinz ketchup is the other thing I almost always brand loyal to. All other brands taste too sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2012, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468/40 "2012-03-22T22:12:48Z")
Publix store brands are AWESOME. They even have cute packaging! Twice I’ve gotten something that I thought really wasn’t up to snuff - once the strawberry preserves seemed to have an awful lot of hulls, and once the dry black beans seemed nowhere near as “clean” as the name brand. I let them know by e-mail, just because if it were my company I’d want to know, and each time somebody called me from the factory to find out exactly what the problem was. Now, that was when a product seemed to have been missed by quality control or something - I won’t be buying their trash bags again because they seem really weak, but that obviously isn’t a problem with just one package. But everything else, Publix all the way unless I have a specific preference, like for Muir Glen tomatoes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-buy-generic-or-store-brand-foods/616468.md?page=3)