Labels are eye-catching and all, but they don’t taste so good. Consumer Reports undressed some food items and found out that deep inside, generics are just as tasty — and in some cases even yummier — than their labeled counterparts.

Of the 29 foods Consumer Reports tested, 23 generics tasted as good or better. Reuters pulled a wire report on the findings:

Consumer Reports tasters actually preferred Archer Farms Chewy Soft Baked cookies (Target), Kirkland Signature Organic Medium Salsa (Costco), Great Value Whipped Topping (Walmart) to similar products from Pepperidge Farm, Old El Paso, Betty Crocker and Kraft.

“Our tests should erase any lingering doubts that store-brand packaged goods aren’t at least worth a try. In many cases, you’ll save money without compromising on quality,” said Tod Marks, Sr. Project Editor, Consumer ReportsShopping.

What the story doesn’t tell you is that brand-name foods totally dominated generics in the swimsuit competition.

It pays to buy store brands [Consumer Reports]
(Photo: Kevin Dean, Beta Art)

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.