2023-11-02 13:25:55
Against a backdrop of inflation, low-cost private label products are popular. “In one year, over the January-August period, their sales jumped by 20% while sales of those from major brands only increased by 4%”, remarks Sophie Coisne, deputy editor-in-chief of Special Editions of 60 million consumers. To shed light on the contents of our baskets, the editorial team has chosen to compare these two main categories. In total, 110 products were studied. The results of this investigation are published in a special issue which has just been published (1).
Uncertain animal products
The team of 60 million consumers first looked closely at ten “raw” foods such as grated cheese, shellfish, salt, etc. Verdict: in half of the cases, the cheapest have the most interesting value for money . Thus, the Top Budget grated cheese (Intermarché) has the same composition as the “melting grated Emmental” from the Président brand. The 200 g sachet of Top Budget costs €1.55 when for the same quantity at Président you will have to pay €2.71.
On the other hand, for products of animal origin, the gap is widening. “Among distributor brands, we have fewer guarantees on breeding conditions”, explains Sophie Coisne. For example, the eggs of Simpl, one of the Carrefours brands, were laid by hens which were not raised in the open air, unlike those of the Loué brand. A difference that can be felt on the label: Loué eggs are twice as expensive as those from Simpl.
Lasagna with pork
The writing of 60 million consumers didn’t stop there. She also analyzed the labels of 7 product families. An exercise that has some surprises in store… Let’s take the example of prepared lasagna dishes, interesting in more than one way. There are indeed notable differences between two distributor brand trays. We go from a single additive at Auchan Pouce to six at Carrefour Simpl; from 11.7% beef at Intermarché to 5% at Carrefour Simpl. And sometimes two types of meat are used. If Auchan lasagna contains 10% meat, “it’s actually 5% beef and 5% pork, a cost-cutting trick,” underlines the magazine.
???? New special issue “#Food : what are the first ones really worth #prix ?”
White hams, lasagna, pain au chocolat, shortcrust pastry… We have deciphered more than 110 products. Matches against big brands reveal surprises!https://t.co/ptFYyv47uUpic.twitter.com/FlKOwXEtKk
— 60 Million Consumers (@60million) November 2, 2023
And what about the big brands? “Marie lasagnas, almost twice as expensive as the others, generally offer a more qualitative composition,” respond the journalists in their investigation. Thus, they do not contain any additives, and the recipe includes “real” ingredients: no more milk powder and tomato paste, make way for cream and tomato pulp. Does this mean that you have to pay more to eat good lasagna? ” Not necessarily “, estimates the editorial staff in its special issue, citing the Top Budget product from Intermarché, which certainly contains two additives but has nothing to be ashamed of for its ingredients.
Low-cost hams that contain nitrites
The team also looked at ham. Those sold at low prices, between €11.15 and €16.56 per kilo (for four slices), all contain nitrites. However, this food additive was singled out in July 2022 by the National Food Safety Agency (ANSES) which established a link between the risk of colorectal cancer and exposure to nitrites and/or nitrates.
With the exception of Monique Ranou superior ham with rind (Intermarché, €14.58 per kilo), if you want to enjoy slices that do not contain nitrite, you will have to turn to the slightly more upscale category of brands distributors whose hams are priced between €16.36 and €21.29 per kilo. And for a national brand ham without nitrite (Fleury Michon, Herta, Madrange), you have to count between €22.44 and €31.49 per kilo.
#million #consumers #referee #match