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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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[+] -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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