'Proper' brands v Supermarket versions

I've just seen the discussion about drugs.

This article might be of interest, here is a quote from it

"On the side of the pack you'll see a product number (or PL number) - this is a unique licence number given exclusively to a particular drug made by a particular manufacturer (eg, PL 12063/0104 is a cold and flu remedy). If two have the same number, they're the exact same product. They have the same active ingredient AND the same formulation."

Link to the article here.

blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2018/07/martin-lewis--a-drugs-bust-up---stop-letting-big-pharmaceuticals/

I shop in Waitrose because it is a medium size store in the middle of town. Within walking distance of the car park is the whole town centre, with banks, pharmacies, my hairdresser, £ shops, local independent stores selling clothes, charity shops. fabric and haberdashery shop (I went their yesterday to get a new zip for my winter coat)

And a round trip of 8 miles. Supermarket shopping takes about 30 minutes. The whole lot done in one place once a week. Time matters and petrol.

I did the shop to shop bit when my children were born and I could walk to the shops and had a choice of three in a town precinct, but I had the time then as well.

I buy my Marmite in the huge tubs from Costco, so it works out very cheaply buying it that way.
As far as cereal is concerned, I don't eat it myself, but I buy the Aldi version of Cheerios and Krave for my grandson and he loves them.

M0nica
* anything you have saved on food, you will have spent on fuel for your car.*
I often go to my local (expensive) supermarket for exactly that reason.
Otherwise, I check on line for prices at Asda or Sainsbury’s then I just do the usual round trip. A or S for things I know aren’t available at Lidl, then to Lidl for essentials like meat, fish and veg. It’s only a short walk across the road to Farmfoods for any bargains on their leaflet (2 jars of DH’s favourite coffee for £10) then home. It would be much more fuel heavy if it wasn’t for the internet.

By the time you have driven round all the supermarkets getting the cheapest of everything (and which town has all the main supermarkets within walking distance of each other), anything you have saved on food, you will have spent on fuel for your car.

I stick to my usual supermarket and what they have on offer.

M0nica I think it was me talking about supermarket/non branded paracetamol that led us astray.
Apologies.

For whoever said there are no own brand Marmite substitutes (article from March 2021) :

Firstly, it's definitely worth noting the significant price difference between the brands.

At £1.08 per 100g, original Marmite - which was unsurprisingly the most expensive option - comes in at a hefty 38p more per 100g than Aldi's version, 'Grandessa' Yeast Extract, which is 70p per 100g.

The other two both fell somewhere in between:

Marmite Yeast Extract Spread, £2.69 for 250g (£1.08 per 100g)

Sainsbury's reduced salt Yeast Extract, £2 for 225g (89p per 100g)

Tesco Yeast Extract, £1.98 for 225g (88p per 100g)

Aldi's 'Grandessa' Yeast Extract, £1.69 for 240g (70p per 100g)

Firstly, it's definitely worth noting the significant price difference between the brands.

At £1.08 per 100g, original Marmite - which was unsurprisingly the most expensive option - comes in at a hefty 38p more per 100g than Aldi's version, 'Grandessa' Yeast Extract, which is 70p per 100g.

The other two both fell somewhere in between:

Marmite Yeast Extract Spread, £2.69 for 250g (£1.08 per 100g)

Sainsbury's reduced salt Yeast Extract, £2 for 225g (89p per 100g)

Tesco Yeast Extract, £1.98 for 225g (88p per 100g)

Aldi's 'Grandessa' Yeast Extract, £1.69 for 240g (70p per 100g)

You have probably realised, by a process of elimination, who is left in the running. Aldi' s Yeast extract was so unbelievably close to the real Marmite that I'm convinced they have somehow acquired the same recipe. None of the other brands achieved the same level of viscosity to match real Marmite that Aldi did. And frankly, if they can make their product taste this much like real Marmite, then they deserve to rip off its packaging.

Sorry to disagree with the Marmite Reddit Man, but clearly he has never tried Aldi's perfect recreation of his favourite sticky brown substance.

And at 38p less per 100g than the classic Marmite, I'm afraid to say think I'm sold on the dupe.

Generic medications are a very different matter to generic brands in supermarkets.. There something may not be as nice as the brand, but isn't going to harm you,

I must say I thought this thread was specifically about supermarkets. I mean the title is 'Proper' brands v Supermarket versions and I have yet to see any supermarket putting generic prescription medications on their shelves.

Glad you got it sorted though Esspee
We all know our own bodies. Good for you.

We use own brands. No problem.
I get lidl cola in stead of Coca Cola it’s very different and just adapted my taste. Their salted butter is fantastic.
I’m not keen on own brand toilet tissues but otherwise I’m for cheaper products.
I do smile when I see some with only Top brand products in their trolley complain about the price raise. Put out brains in action and go for cheaper products - or stop moaning.

NotSpaghetti There were two instances with different medicines, one tablets one a gel for completely different reasons. I knew how each worked on me and the generic ones which had been substituted did not have any effect. In both cases the doctor had to specify no substitutes in order to get what worked for me.
I am knowledgeable and confident so I get what I need. I'm pretty sure most people would not have reported the issue. Hence the assumption that generic brands work. Some do, some don't.

I’ve just started trying the cheaper tin brands, started with baked beans in Asda and Tesco and I’ve not noticed anything different perhaps a tiny bit more liquid? But will not pay for Heinz again
Will be trying other items in the near future as it all helps keep the costs down
Has anyone tried home brand cereals? As there pricey

You are right Esspee, but even nonprescription meds have to comply too.
There was obviously something wrong for you in your case. I hope it was resolved.
I know sampling is a big expense for drug companies but wonder if yours might have been a bad batch.

Casdon and NotSpaghetti
Both products contained the identical active ingredients, both were described by the pharmacists as being identical when I complained. I don’t have the packaging to check the excipients, both were legitimate products but in these two examples the generic product was ineffective.
On both occasions I had no reason to even suspect I had the generic product until my condition deteriorated and investigations ensued.
Prescribed medicines have to comply with very strict specifications and are expected to be identical.

NotSpaghetti

Also, branded products (such as cereals and chocolate) are different in different countries.

One shop in America that I've used actually is not allowed to sell certain UK manufactured products as the industry has an international agreement in place! It's nothing to do with colours or e-numbers either - just money deals.

I found this out recently. I am intolerant to artificial sweeteners, but I can drink a Fanta made in Lithuania (for example) as it is made with real sugar, whereas the same from the UK contains artificial sweeteners.

Very interesting about the pain relief.
I accidentally gave DH anadin extra. It was the worst thing for him. He had cancer and was trying to sleep so I had thought the paracetamol and aspirin would help take away the pain but the caffeine meant he couldn't sleep.

I like Lidl Guatemalan coffee Lupin

I use a lot of supermarket own brands but can’t find an acceptable for cornflakes or weetabix/they just don’t taste as good

Here's a study based on data from 3.5 million patients.
It finds the generics to work the same.
It doesn't mean every single person found that.
Interesting, though I confess I skim-read it.
It's fairly recent 2018 I think.

journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1002763

Espee, could that be because of the excipients?
I was talking about the active ingredients.

V3ra
^Panadol Actifast says it's "fast acting."
Panadol Extra contains caffeine and says it's "extra effective."^
I expect the "fast acting" one does as it says. I have no idea what "extra effective" means!
Might be worth asking a pharmacist.
I will ask if I remember.

Sainsbury's Fruit and nut muesli is streets ahead if any others I've tried, branded , Waitrose etc. All loo rolls seem to have shrunk recently. I used to squash them into bathroom drawer, now they rattle (?) around with space to spare.

for those who still use hard soap, i got 2 bars for 40p in savers.
is blue, made in turkey, name hygiene.
bottom shelf, have to look for it.
that was about a month ago. may have gone up by now.

Most own brand yoghurts are disappointing imo. I love some of the Muller's but e.g Aldi split fruit yogurts are nowhere near as good

I was told that own brands often come out of the same factories as well known brands. I always use Aldis own brands they are excellent.

I agree, I know this because my husband used to work for a plastics company , bleach bottles etc have to ALL adhere to safety standards . So even cheapest ones are just as safe. The bleach inside every bottle they produced was the same as they also manufactured the bleach !!!! The only difference was labelling and PRICES!!!