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What common grocery item(s) is it absolutely fine to buy the cheap/unbranded version of? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
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[–] 122 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Most of them? Generics are frequently the same thing from the same manufacturer with cheaper packaging and no/very little marketing. There are very few things I've ever tried that were noticeably better in the name brand.

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  • [–] 26 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I was going to say everything. I mean its not everything but if you don't know its always best to give them a try if the price difference is good and if you don't like it then thats one of the few things not to get. Especially now. generics used to be pretty meh but man now they are sometimes better. Oh man dominicks had this store brand chunky peanut butter that I have not been able to find an equal to since they closed.

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  • [–] 14 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Sometimes store brands/generics have lower meat content for example, if you buy, say, meat balls or fish products. While other products are literally the same just with another logo. Always check the ingredients (at least in my country they give a lot of information)

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  • [–] 10 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    oh I always compare the ingredients just like price per unit. Im one of those folks who forgets to mention things like this so thanks.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    As long as your not a former roommate of mine. He would calculate price per slice of bread and buy the cheapest. He would do this for everything and would take hours shopping...

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Im not that bad but I do sorta consider it a puzzle game. Sorta a "fun" math activity to keep my brain active like doing suduko. Honestly I don't see a point at price per slice as you would just get really thinly sliced bread. Should be per ounce. Honestly bread is one of those things I spring for the xspenciv stuff in the bakery section or I will do one of the fancy brownberry type with oats and nuts or potato.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I understand where you come but I do sympathize with him(he had 4 kids from 2 mother's so money was always tight). He took FOREVER shopping though.

    One time we went shopping together, I got all my food, checked out, drove home, put all my food away, took a shower, watched a show on Netflix, drove back to the store and he said "almost done, 10 more minutes"...

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    Unless it's Kroger, never buy Kroger brand.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    Interesting. Outside of chips, I've had a lot of luck with Private Selection (Kroger's no name brand). I've had quality issues with Food Lion and Walmart's perishables, but not as often with Kroger. Kroger's non perishables don't seem to be much different than Walmart's though.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

    Private Selection isn't bad, I was referring to Kroger brand as in it actually says Kroger, which is a suffering I wish on no one. It's also worth noting that Private Selection is a substantial bump in price over plain Kroger brand.

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  • [+] -8 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Eh, Oreo's are better than hydrox, at least the chocolate ones.

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  • [+] -30 points 2 years ago* (4 children)

    That’s a placebo affect. Most generics are stuff that don’t meet the standards of the name brand, but is still fine to sell. Kind of a form of downcycling.

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  • [–] 25 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I don't know that placebo is the right word (or if you just pulled that info out of your ass) but even if it was, if people consume the generic and just feel like it was the same, then who cares? It's not like people are buying Kirkland chemotherapy, it's some cookies or lotion or whatever, and our feelings about those things are totally subjective anyway.

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  • [–] 14 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    There's way WAY too many generic and store brands for them all to just be QC rejects.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    They're not. I have celiac, and I've learned from reading labels that they often have completely different ingredients/manufacturing conditions.

    They're not QC rejects, but they're also not the same thing repackaged.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    It depends, especially with medication it's the same thing due to regulations.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    My provider claims generics can have different fillers and such. The active ingredients have to be the same, though.

    If I really wanted to be sure, I'd ask a pharmacist.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago (2 children)

    Usually it is just cheaper ingredients but made in the same factory, and branded with a different label.

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  • [–] 0 points 2 years ago

    See, this is what people say, but now that I've been reading labels I don't believe it.

    For example, I cannot eat Kellogg's Rice Krispies, but some off brands are made with a different formula that doesn't include gluten and is manufactured in a safe environment.

    Conversely, I can eat Cheerios, but not most store brands, Lucky Charms but not most store brands, etc.

    And that's just cereal! Even drugs vary wildly. Sure, the active ingredients are the same, but the other contents can really vary.

    Some foods have similar ingredients, but are either manufactured on shared equipment with wheat and dairy, or not.

    I now believe that most store brands are made in a unique environment. I'm open to being convinced otherwise, but if you need more examples, I can check my cupboard and tell you all kinds of things!

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