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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallStore brands are worth trying in several everyday food categories: Consumer Reports found that 76% of 70 tested store-brand products tasted as good as their name-brand comparisons. That result describes taste—not identical ingredients, nutrition, or manufacturing—and does not apply to every product. Prescription generics are different: FDA-approved generics must meet specific requirements for equivalence to their reference drugs.
For food and other consumer goods, store brand, private label, or house brand is more precise than “generic.” Here are 11 products to compare, based on the reported tests and FDA guidance.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Hunt's Tomato Ketchup, 20 oz | $1.67 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Heinz Tomato Ketchup, 32 oz Bottle | $4.78 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Heinz Tomato Ketchup, 20 oz Bottle | $3.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Hunt's Tomato Ketchup Squeeze Bottle, 32 oz | $2.33 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Heinz Tomato Ketchup, 2 ct Pack, 50.5 oz Bottles | $11.98 | Buy on Amazon |
Store brand versus name brand: what the evidence shows
Consumer Reports blind-tested 70 store-brand products against leading national brands. It reported that 76% tasted as good as their name-brand comparisons; store-brand products were typically 5% to 72% cheaper per serving, though some performed worse and a few cost more. These findings support comparing specific products, not assuming all store brands are equivalent. Consumer Reports’ testing and results.
A blind taste test does not establish identical ingredients, nutrition labels, or factory origins. Check the packaging and compare the exact product, size, and formulation.
#1 Best Overall
- Contains one 20-ounce squeeze bottle of Hunt's Tomato Ketchup
- Taste the difference with Hunt's vine-ripened tomatoes, choice seasonings and spices
- This classic ketchup is delicious to dip or top burgers, nuggets, tots, fries and more
- Full of flavor, Hunt's Ketchup makes the perfect tomato condiment or ingredient for your favorite recipes
- Enjoy this tasty, thick ketchup with no preservatives
11 generic or store-brand products worth trying
| Product | Comparison | What the evidence supports |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Ketchup | Heinz | Aldi, Target, and Walmart store brands were close in flavor and about 70% less expensive in the tested comparison. |
| 2. Creamy ranch dressing | Hidden Valley Ranch | Kroger Creamy Ranch Dressing was rated better-tasting and cost about half as much in the tested comparison. |
| 3. Whole-wheat bread | Leading national brands | Included in blind testing; the overall finding was that 76% of tested store-brand products tasted as good as name brands. |
| 4. Peanut butter | Name-brand peanut butter | Included in blind testing; many store brands matched or exceeded name brands in taste, though results varied. |
| 5. Plain nonfat Greek yogurt | Name-brand Greek yogurt | Included in blind testing; store brands frequently performed as well as or better than national brands. |
| 6. Mixed nuts | Name-brand mixed nuts | Included in blind testing; reported savings varied by product and retailer. |
| 7. Maple syrup | Name-brand maple syrup | Included in blind testing; compare taste and price, but do not assume identical ingredients or production. |
| 8. Condensed chicken noodle soup | Name-brand soup | Many store brands performed comparably, while some did not match their competitors. |
| 9. Honey-oat cereal | Cheerios | A comparable store-brand cereal was included in sensory testing; identical nutrition is not established. |
| 10. Frozen organic mixed vegetables | Name-brand vegetables | Included in blind testing; performance varied, though most tested store brands were at least as good in taste. |
| 11. FDA-approved generic medicine | Referenced brand-name drug | Must meet FDA requirements for equivalence and bioequivalence, with certain permitted differences. |
1. Ketchup
Store-brand ketchup is a reasonable lower-cost trial. Consumer Reports blind-tested store-brand ketchup from Aldi, Target, and Walmart against Heinz. The tested store brands were judged close in flavor and cost about 70% less. This finding applies to those tested products, not every store-brand ketchup. Compare sweetness, sodium, serving size, and ingredients if they matter to you.
2. Creamy ranch dressing
Consumer Reports rated Kroger Creamy Ranch Dressing better-tasting than Hidden Valley Ranch in its blind test; it cost about half as much. Results apply to the tested products and formulations, not every ranch product sold under either brand. Compare the exact variety and check details such as sodium and serving size.
3. Whole-wheat bread
Whole-wheat bread was among the categories in Consumer Reports’ blind comparison of store brands and leading national brands. Across all tested categories, 76% of store-brand products tasted as good as their name-brand comparisons. That overall figure is not a specific result for every loaf. Compare fiber, sugar, sodium, ingredients, and package size rather than relying on the front label.
4. Peanut butter
Peanut butter was included in the blind comparisons. Consumer Reports reported that many store brands matched or exceeded name brands in taste, although results varied. Check whether the product contains only peanuts and salt or includes added sugar, oils, or stabilizers, and compare like formulations.
Rank #2
- HEINZ TOMATO KETCHUP: One 32 oz inverted squeeze bottle expertly crafted from vine-ripened tomatoes
- MADE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES: Heinz Ketchup tomatoes are perfectly ripe when they leave the field to capture optimal freshness and flavor
- THICK TEXTURE AND RICH TASTE: Enjoy on burgers, hot dogs, fries and eggs
- GROWN NOT MADE: Every bottle of Heinz Ketchup only uses tomatoes grown from Heinz seeds
- KOSHER KETCHUP: Prepared with kosher preferences in mind
5. Plain nonfat Greek yogurt
Plain nonfat Greek yogurt was included in the testing, where store brands frequently performed as well as or better than name brands. This is not a guarantee for every retailer’s yogurt. Compare protein, added sugar, container size, and other label details.
6. Mixed nuts
Mixed nuts were included in Consumer Reports’ blind testing. Across tested categories, store brands were typically 5% to 72% cheaper per serving, but the exact savings varied by product and retailer. Compare the nut mix, serving size, net weight, and salt level before deciding which is the better value.
7. Maple syrup
Maple syrup appeared in the blind comparison, which supports comparing store-brand products on taste and price—not assuming they share ingredients or production methods with a specific national brand. Check the product name and compare like with like, such as pure maple syrup with pure maple syrup.
8. Condensed chicken noodle soup
Consumer Reports included condensed chicken noodle soup in its blind comparison. Many store brands performed comparably to leading brands, but some did not match their competitors. Compare the exact product and check sodium, serving size, and preparation directions.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- HEINZ TOMATO KETCHUP: One 20 oz inverted squeeze bottle expertly crafted from vine-ripened tomatoes
- MADE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES: Heinz Ketchup tomatoes are perfectly ripe when they leave the field to capture optimal freshness and flavor
- THICK TEXTURE AND RICH TASTE: Enjoy on burgers, hot dogs, fries and eggs
- GROWN NOT MADE: Every bottle of Heinz Ketchup only uses tomatoes grown from Heinz seeds
- KOSHER KETCHUP: Certified Kosher by the OU
9. Honey-oat cereal
Consumer Reports tested a store-brand honey-oat cereal comparable to Cheerios. The result supports a sensory comparison, not a claim of identical ingredients, nutrition, or manufacturing. Compare whole-grain content, added sugar, fiber, sodium, and serving size.
10. Frozen organic mixed vegetables
Frozen organic mixed vegetables were included in the blind testing. Store-brand performance varied, though most tested store brands were at least as good in taste as the name-brand comparisons. Compare the blend, package size, and any added sauces, seasonings, or salt.
11. FDA-approved generic medicine
Prescription generics are not the same as grocery store brands. An FDA-approved generic must have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, route of administration, and intended use as its reference drug, and meet FDA quality, labeling—with permitted exceptions—and bioequivalence requirements. FDA expects approved generics to provide the same clinical benefit and risks as their reference drugs. FDA: Generic Drug Facts.
Generics may differ in appearance and inactive ingredients. FDA says appearance differences generally do not affect how the medicine works; inactive ingredients usually do not matter clinically but can affect tolerability or absorption for some patients. Not every prescription drug has a generic. Check the FDA’s generic-drug questions and answers for information about the Orange Book, and ask your prescriber or pharmacist about a specific prescription. Substitution is not universally automatic; the FTC advises patients to ask a doctor or pharmacist. FTC: Generic Drugs and Low-Cost Prescriptions.
Rank #4
- Contains one 32-ounce squeeze bottle of Hunt's Tomato Ketchup
- Taste the difference with Hunt's vine-ripened tomatoes, choice seasonings and spices
- This classic ketchup is delicious to dip or top burgers, nuggets, tots, fries and more
- Full of flavor, Hunt's Ketchup makes the perfect tomato condiment or ingredient for your favorite recipes
- Enjoy this tasty, thick ketchup with no preservatives
Authorized generic versus ordinary generic
An authorized generic is the approved brand-name drug marketed without the brand name; FDA defines it as the exact same drug product as the branded product. An ordinary generic may be made by a different company and can have permitted differences, including inactive ingredients and appearance. FDA: Authorized Generic Drugs.
How to compare a store brand before switching
- Match the product type. Compare the same kind of product and formulation.
- Compare unit prices. Use price per ounce, pound, or other unit rather than package price alone.
- Read the ingredient list. Similar packaging or names do not prove identical ingredients.
- Check nutrition facts. Compare serving size and relevant nutrients such as sodium, sugar, protein, and fiber.
- Try one package first. Test a small quantity before buying a multipack.
- For medicines, ask a professional. Confirm whether a generic is appropriate for your prescription, especially if you have concerns about inactive ingredients or tolerability.
What the testing does not prove
- It does not prove that a store brand and a national brand are made in the same factory.
- It does not prove that store-brand foods have identical ingredients, nutrition, or manufacturing processes.
- It does not mean every store-brand product tastes as good as its national-brand comparison.
- FDA medicine-equivalence requirements do not apply to grocery products.
- Results may not apply if a product changes its supplier or formulation.
FAQ
Are store-brand foods the same as name-brand foods?
Not necessarily. Blind taste results can show that tested products taste similar, but they do not prove identical ingredients, nutrition, or manufacturing origin. Check the label for the product you are buying.
Which store-brand products had the strongest reported results?
Consumer Reports found tested store-brand ketchup from Aldi, Target, and Walmart close in flavor to Heinz and about 70% less expensive. It rated tested Kroger Creamy Ranch Dressing better-tasting than Hidden Valley Ranch at about half the price.
Are store-brand foods always cheaper?
No. Consumer Reports found tested store brands typically 5% to 72% cheaper per serving, but some cost more. Compare the unit price of the exact products.
Best Value
- HEINZ TOMATO KETCHUP: Two 50.5 oz squeeze bottles expertly crafted from vine-ripened tomatoes
- MADE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES: Heinz Ketchup tomatoes are perfectly ripe when they leave the field to capture optimal freshness and flavor
- THICK TEXTURE AND RICH TASTE: Enjoy on burgers, hot dogs, fries and eggs
- GROWN NOT MADE: Every bottle of Heinz Ketchup only uses tomatoes grown from Heinz seeds
- GLUTEN-FREE KETCHUP: Gluten-free and certified kosher by the OU
How can I check whether a generic medicine is available?
Check the FDA Orange Book or ask a pharmacist. Not every prescription drug has a generic, and substitution is not universally automatic. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific prescription.
Can generic medicines have different ingredients?
Yes. FDA-approved generics must meet key equivalence requirements, but inactive ingredients and appearance can differ. Inactive ingredients usually do not matter clinically, but can affect tolerability or absorption for some people.
The Bottom Line
Store brands are worth comparing in categories such as ketchup, ranch dressing, bread, peanut butter, yogurt, cereal, soup, frozen vegetables, and mixed nuts. Consumer Reports’ results support similar taste for many tested products, not universal identity or guaranteed superiority. Compare labels and unit prices; for medicines, rely on FDA’s distinct generic-drug standards and ask a health professional about your prescription.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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