Some blog posts are easy to write, especially if the topic is something I know a lot about. But other posts take more time and effort, and I have no one to blame for that but myself! I get curious about an unfamiliar topic, decide to write a post about it, and end up diving head-first into hours of research. That was definitely the case with today’s post, because before very recently, I didn’t really know anything about private label products!
But after reading somewhere that some private label foods are identical to the name brand stuff, I couldn’t help but wonder how that could be. (Because if I can buy the same product for less money, I want to know about about that. And I want YOU to know about it too!) So I dusted off my reporter hat and got to work, and I’m excited to share everything that I’ve learned about the world of private label foods with you today! :-)
Let’s start with the basics: what is a private label product?
What Are Private Label Products?
Private label products include any merchandise sold under a retailer’s own brand. Private label products may be branded with the same name as the specific retailer (like Kroger brand foods at Kroger stores, for example), but that isn’t always the case. Many retailers have started offering private label foods under a brand with its own name (like Great Value brand foods at Walmart).
Retailers don’t have to spend a lot of extra money to advertise private label products. Because of that, they can sell them at a lower price than the name brands can, and that equals savings for us!
The Advantages of Private Label Foods
Private label brands are popular with retailers and consumers alike, especially in grocery stores! Retailers like them because they have more control over quality and profit margins with their private label products. And as consumers, we like them because they save us money without (and this is key!) sacrificing quality.
Related: 17 Store Brand Products That People Actually Swear By
Some retailers have so many private label food products that they operate their own manufacturing facilities to produce them. But in other instances, private label brands and national “name brands” source their food products from the exact same manufacturers. In those cases, there is virtually no difference between the two products in terms of ingredients or quality—the only difference is the price!
12 Private Label Foods That Are the Same as Name Brands
While I wish I could offer you a massive list of where retailers are sourcing their private label foods, it isn’t quite that easy! Most retailers are reluctant to give up exact details about who manufactures their private label products.
But after a LOT of digging around online, I managed to scrape together a list of private label foods that, according to general consensus, are the same as (or incredibly similar to) a name brand food. Check it out below!
- Trader Joe’s mac and cheese = Annie’s
- Trader Joe’s yogurt = Stoneyfield Farm
- Trader Joe’s chili = Amy’s Organic
- Kirkland Signature batteries = Duracell
- Kirkland Signature canned tuna = Bumblebee
- Kirkland Signature pet good = Diamond Pet Foods
- Great Value spices = McCormick
- Great Value canned vegetables = Green Giant
- Great Value peanut butter = Peter Pan
- Kroger American cheese = Kraft
- Kroger fruit rings cereal = Fruit Loops
- Kroger cocoa puffed cereal = Cocoa Puffs
The Takeaway
So what’s my point here? I simply want to encourage you to give private label products a chance! Not only will it save you money on your grocery budget, but you never know when you might come across a “generic” private label product that is actually identical to its name brand counterpart! :-)
Do you have a favorite private label food?
Hands down, best potato chips out there are Kroger’s store brand kettle cooked variety, especially Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper. Even better when on sale!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Did you realise that Diamond also makes the private label pet foods that Tractor Supply features? What I know is from the store manager of my local store, and I know for sure it’s the dry kibble for cats and dogs that’s the product of Diamond foods. Not sure about the sourcing of other Tractor Supply private label foods for horses, chickens and other livestock that they carry.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When I was a teen I worked in a Wisconsin canning factory that processed peas and corn for a couple of the major labels. The brand name companies would send tasters who would taste a sample of each batch after cooking, sometimes they said no at which point we would label the cans with store brand labels.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My father was a truck driver. He often hauled canned goods. He explained that technically, they are the same goods, however – the vegetables are stored in huge vats. The top companies take their products off the top. The next company next, all the way down to where the generics are getting the bottom.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.There is a factory just outside of Vegas that manufactures marshmallows and allows the pubic free tours. I was astonished to see all the packing labels displayed that they make the very same marshmallows for just pack it differently. It was Kraft and every other food store that you could think of. In other words about 20 of them were displayed. I shop in Publix, so I saw that one displayed too and now I do not pay the extra for the Kraft because now I know for sure they are exactly the same.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Before I was not concerned about ‘health’ food ( between 1951 and 1980) and bought anything and everything and was concerned about ‘the price’ of the item–I subscribed to a ‘coupon magazine’ (about 6 or 8 pages) which listed names and address’ of special offers–the information came each month for a year at $3.25 a year if I remember correctly–may have been$3.75–Now a days I believe thy cost much, much more. I had to send in labels to receive–
free items I could use for gifts or myself ( Rogers silverware–Baby Stroller–other Baby items–Basketballs and on and on)
or
coupons for free food items
or coupons for 50 cents -$1.00 off
or a check for $1.00-$5.00
I was known as the coupon ‘Queen’–I guess I started this ‘coupon’ thing around 1963–couponed for about 23 years
But in 1975 I moved to California for one terrific year–did not coupon–too busy–moved to KS in 1976–became very interested in ‘health’—couponing seemed to be only for ‘junk’ food but I found an even better way to do couponing–I found almost all companies will send you coupons if you simply either call them or e-mail them–simply request them.
And most companies allow you to do this once a month. Ezekiel Bread will only allow you to do this once every 6 months but they send you about 8 coupons at a time.
And since I now buy ‘only’ organic it is even more rewarding–and I do not have to spend money on stamps or stationery and saves a lot of time it took writing, mailing etc. I use to keep a list of the companies that I requested coupons from each month but have been so busy that I have not requested coupons for some time. Do not receive the gifts or money but the coupons I do receive are certainly appreciated.
And since I buy ‘only’ organic–and nothing with added sugar of any kind (except stevia)—(honey-sorbitol and all the other ‘hidden’ sugars) or anything with canola oil, or rice–I may be paying more for my item but in the end my total bill is lower than the person who buy like I use to buy–anything and everything–chips, soda, junk cereal etc.
I am 85 and feel wonderful and soooooo glad I learned–and am still learning about health–enjoying each and every day, still playing tennis and thank the Heavenly Father for leading me in this direction. I just wish I would have known all this when I was raising my wonderful 6 children and babysitting 6 beautiful children.
I love your information Jillie, but must give a one star rating simply because this info was not for me–been there–done that–wore that tee shirt.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Though I appreciate Vee’s perspective for making healthier choices, which indeed leads to better health, not all folks can afford to buy only organic. They (including my family) rely on packaged foods with the lower price tag and we remain cognizant of healthier choices amongst the options.
Rather than class-shame people who cannot afford organic or have time to play tennis, please remain silently grateful for what you have.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I prefer to shop at Aldi and get what I can from their private label organic, and gluten free sections. I wish they had more. I love their organic yogurt and their Never Any meats. I’m not actually celiac but have a reaction to foods with high oxalates (kidney stones) so I have to stay away from nut flours and wheat so the gluten free items mostly use corn and rice flours at Aldi, which is perfect for me and so much cheaper than name brand gluten free items.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.There are actually a lot of generic brands with organic products, or that only have organic products! So you can have the best of both worlds…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It is not always the easiest thing to feed a growing family organic or to make the healthiest choices when you have picky eaters. I remember just being glad that they ate dinner! I, too, clipped coupons, mailed away for rebates, etc. When my children were growing up, I wasn’t so food conscious as I am today. Making sure that no one went to bed hungry was my objective, and that they had full tums. Today’s we are more aware, I believe, because there is so much information available about additives in our foods. The 1950’s and 60’s was the age of “new and improved” and not everything was disclosed about the food we eat. As moms and care givers, we are more educated about the food we eat with so may food choices available. We just do our best.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m a caregiver to a 99 year old woman who played tennis until she was 90. At 99 she still plays Bridge 3X a week. Goes to a luncheon every Wednesday, and is on a lot of committees. She’s sharp as a tack and she NEVER buys organic. She has me buy her the cheapest brands possible. Not because she can’t afford it (trust me, she can afford it!!). The only pills she takes is a very low dose BP med and Lasix. My Doctor told me that to be truly organic you have to grow your own food (he’s not very trusting of Organic companies. He was a research Doctor). So, while organic may seam better it’s not always is. To each their own. Somethings I buy organic and some I don’t. People do what they can. I’m from California and they are not the healthiest people. You can eat organic everything but with the stress and pollution there, it will kill you first.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.“I love your information Jillie, but must give a one star rating simply because this info was not for me…”
What do you gain by giving the content 1 star, and leaving a comment if it “isn’t for you? Clearly you aren’t the intended audience for this post. She’s made it clear that this information is about the cost differential between brand types and quality of said brand–not about a chosen health lifestyle.
Rating the article isn’t about how well she speaks to you individually; that route would indicate a self-centered personality with a lack of insight. Certainly someone with your life experience would understand that a blog article written for the masses would be rated on thoroughness of research, attention to detail, and veracity of information. I assume that this was not slip of the selfish, but rather one of a bad day.
As one who can afford to eat the way that you do, I recognize that others cannot spend the kind of money I do on my family. I will not judge them for buying fruits and veggies that aren’t organic. I will not judge them for buying corn-fed meat, or eggs from chickens that are in cruel environments. They may work in zero hour jobs and be treated like crap.
Be like Jillee. Lift people up. How we treat the least fortunate among us tells us exactly who we are as a person.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t buy exclusively organic, but do buy a good bit that is organic. I love Simple Truth Organics at Kroger and you can get coupons for them. It’s just my husband and I at home now, so it is easier for us financially. But I know it isn’t always easy for families with kids. I would encourage you to purchase fresh produce and whole foods.. cook from scratch as much as you can.. and yes do organic where you are able. Also consider buying local and seasonal from Farmers Markets in your area. It doesn’t have to an all or nothing to choose a healthy lifestyle. Small changes where you are able add up and make more of a difference than you k know.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Kroger’s solid white tuna in water is the best of all the brands out there and the least expensive! If you haven’t already tried it give it a chance….I guarantee you will not be disappointed! Another good one is Kroger zesty Italian dressing (dry) taste exactly like good seasons, for of course a lot less.
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