2023-11-02 11:37:35
They are a safe haven during this period of inflation, but can sometimes pose quality or even public health problems. The 60 million consumers association scrutinized 110 low-cost products sold in supermarkets. Products whose sales jumped by 20% between August 2022 and August 2023.
On these 110 most emblematic food products, the magazine team each time compared the distributor brands (Leclerc, Lidl, Carrefour, Système U, etc.) with the major brands. The first being 40 to 50% cheaper.
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“Fewer guarantees” on animal production
“We see that on raw products, with little or no processing, low prices are advantageous in half of the cases. The little technicality required does not allow the big brands to make a difference”, underlines Sophie Coisne, editor-in-chief of special editions for 60 million consumers. On products such as rice, flour, sugar or shellfish, distributor brands often have an advantage on price, without compromising on quality.
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On the other hand, it is more complicated for animal production: eggs, chicken, canned sardines, etc. “There are fewer guarantees on breeding conditions or fishing methods”specifies Sophie Coisne.
60 million consumers investigated white ham in particular. “A caricature problem”, according to the magazine. The best priced hams in fact all contain nitrites, preservatives incriminated in the appearance of colorectal cancers in particular.
“Unequal” quality
For other processed products, the quality in private label brands is “ very uneven ». With some “typical cases” : noble ingredients in smaller quantities (only 2% hazelnuts in a spread for example), ingredients replaced to cut costs (glucose-fructose syrup in many flans instead of caramel), many additives (up to ten in pain au chocolat).
But on certain products, the differences in composition are not obvious between low prices and major brands (on shortcrust pastry for example), and the additives may even be present in greater numbers on the reference brand (for chocolate biscuits with milk for example).
From this survey, carried out with dieticians, nutritionists and engineers, 60 million consumers retained one piece of advice for the consumer: “read product labels when you have time!” »
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