Oat Milk Recall: Coffee, Protein Shakes and Some Breads Recalled

Oat Milk Recall: Coffee, Protein Shakes and Some Breads Recalled

A recall issued by Lyons Magnus, a food and beverage manufacturer, affected a variety of plant milks, protein shakes, coffee drinks and breads sold by a variety of brands. The original recall of beverages has been expanded to include some breads, including pretzel bread made by King's Hawaiian and, most recently, a variety of rolls sold by Piantedosi Baking. 

The reason for the recall, according to the FDA and Lyons Magnus, is that the products "did not meet commercial sterility specifications." They could potentially be contaminated with unsafe organisms, including the one that causes botulism. 

Piantedosi Baking said last week it's recalling some lots of dinner rolls, including sandwich rolls and buns because limited products contain an ingredient from Lyons Magnus that's been recalled. King's Hawaiian announced earlier it's recalling its pretzel bread, including its pretzel hamburger buns, pretzel slider buns and pretzel bites "out of an abundance of caution" because they also contain a Lyons Magnus ingredient affected in the larger beverage recall. 

The specific organisms that the impacted items could be contaminated with are cronobacter sakazakii and clostridium botulinum. Cronobacter infections are rare and may cause fever, vomiting or urinary tract infections. But cronobacter can be dangerous or life-threatening for babies, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. 

Clostridium botulinum can cause botulism, a rare but very serious illness that can damage the body's nerves and lead to complications, including death. Though clostridium botulinum hasn't been found in the beverages being recalled, consumers should throw away any impacted product regardless of whether it looks or smells spoiled, the FDA and Lyons Magnus said in the announcement.

A few more specific beverages, like lactation smoothies, were also recalled. Here's what to know if you're a plant-milk or protein-shake drinker or are otherwise interested in learning more about the brands that have recalls, as well as a few alternatives to your currently unavailable favorite drink. 

Some lots of Oatly's "barista edition" oat milk are being recalled. 

Lyons Magnus

Which brands were recalled?

Similar to many other food or drink recalls, not every drink made by an affected brand is being recalled. Some batches with a certain expiration date might be fine, for example, as may all lots of a totally different drink by the same brand. If you recognize any of the brands or drinks on the following list, check the recall for a complete description of the specific lot codes, UPC numbers and expiration dates of the recalled products. King's Hawaiian, on the other hand, appears to be recalling all of its pretzel bread, but you can check the list of specific lot codes here. 

Some lots of the following coffee drinks, protein shakes, plant milks and other beverages are being recalled:

• Lyons Barista Style (Sweet Cream Frappe Base in 32-ounce cartons; Almond, Oat, Soy and Coconut Non-Dairy Beverages in 32-ounce cartons).
• Lyons Ready Care (Thickened Dairy Drink in different consistencies, 32- and 8-ounce cartons; 2.0 High Calorie High Protein drinks in vanilla, chocolate and butter pecan flavors in 8- or 32-ounce cartons; 0 Sugar Added 1.7 High Calorie High Protein Nutritional Drink in vanilla flavor in 32-ounce cartons; Plant-Based Protein Shake in vanilla or chocolate in 8.45-ounce cartons).
• Cafe Grumpy (Ready to Drink Cold Brew Coffee, 11 ounces).
• Tone It Up (Plant-Based Protein Shake in vanilla and chocolate, 11 ounces).
• Uproot (Oatmilk Organic Oats and Peamilk Chocolate in 8-ounce cartons).
• Organic Valley (organic whole milk and organic 1% Milkfat Lowfat milks, regular and chocolate-flavored in 8-ounce cartons).
• Salted (Complete Keto Meal Shake Chocolate Flavor in 11-ounce cartons).
• Rejuvenate (Muscle Health+ Vanilla and Muscle Health+ Chocolate, 11 ounces).
• Optimum Nutrition (Gold Standard 100% Whey in chocolate and vanilla, 11-ounce cartons).
  
• Sweetie Pie Organics (Organic Lactation Smoothie Mango Banana, Organic Lactation Smoothie Apple Pear, 11.1 ounces). 
• Ensure Harvest (1.2 Cal for Tube Feeding in 8-ounce cartons).
• PediaSure Harvest (1.0 Cal for Tube Feeding in 8-ounce cartons).
• Lyons Barista Style (almond, coconut and oat milk in 32-ounce cartons).
• Pirq (Plant Protein 32-milliliter cartons sold in vanilla, chocolate, caramel coffee and strawberry flavors).
• Glucerna Original (8-ounce chocolate, strawberry and vanilla cartons sold in 24-count cases).
• Aloha (chocolate sea salt, coconut, vanilla and iced coffee plant-based protein cartons).
• Intelligentsia (ColdCoffee and Oat Latte 330-milliliter cartons).
• Kate Farms (Pediatric Peptide 1.0 Vanilla, Standard 1.0 Vanilla, Nutrition Shake Coffee, Nutrition Shake Vanilla, Nutrition Shake Chocolate, Standard 1.4 Plain, Peptide 1.5 Plain, Pediatric Standard 1.2 Vanilla, Pediatric Peptide 1.5 Vanilla, different carton sizes).
• Oatly (Barista Edition oat milk in 32-ounce cartons; Barista Edition 11 ounces; Oat-Milk 11 ounces; Oat-Milk Chocolate 11 ounces).
• Premier Protein (chocolate, vanilla, cafe latte 330-milliliter cartons).
• MRE (cookies and cream, milk chocolate, salted caramel and vanilla milkshake 330-milliliter protein shakes).
• Stumptown (cold brew coffee in 325 milliliter cartons in oat milk Original, oat milk Horchata, oat milk Chocolate, chocolate Cream & Sugar and original Cream & Sugar flavors).
  
• Imperial (Med Plus 2.0 Vanilla Nutritional Drink, Med Plus NSA 1.7 Vanilla Nutritional Drink, Med Plus 2.0 Butter Pecan Nutritional Drink and Thickened Dairy Drink in different consistencies).
• King's Hawaiian (Pretzel Slider Buns, Pretzel Hamburger Buns and Pretzel Bites). 
• Piantedosi Baking Company (a variety of deli rolls, dinner rolls, burger buns and more. Check the list here.) 

King's Hawaiian via the US Food and Drug Administration website

Recalled oat milk in the fridge? Try this instead. 

As a refresher, not every lot or type of drink made by a brand is unsafe or risky to drink. Oatly has a variety of products still available for sale on its website. The impacted products are limited to the Barista Edition Oatmilk and the 11-ounce Barista Edition, Original and Chocolate Oatmilks. To see whether yours is recalled, Oatly says the easiest way to check is to look for the initials "LM" next to the package's best-by date.

But if you're a stone-cold oat milk drinker wanting to branch out into a different brand, we recommend Planet Oat. It's affordable, tastes good and you can order a six-pack of the 32-ounce cartons of the "original" or $42 when you order through Walmart. You can also use the Planet Oat store locator to find some near you. 

Recalled cold brew? 

Once again, not every product made by the brands listed in the recall have been impacted, and most will still have a variety of options available and safe to drink. Cafe Grumpy released a statement and reiterated that it no longer works with Lyons Magnus for their cold brew drinks and only a couple of lots of drinks set to expire at the end of this month are impacted. This is a similar case to most or all brands on this list. 

That being said, some single-serve cartons of cold brew coffee drinks were recalled. If you're looking for a replacement to take on the go, we recommend mixing your own concoction at home using a standard cold brew like La Colombe, in addition to your favorite plant-based creamer. One of our favorites is Elmhurst Oat Milk Creamer.

Substitute for your protein shake

Premier Protein was another big name that saw some lots of products recalled -- the impacted shakes also made CNET's best list of protein shakes and powders. But fear not: Owyn, which CNET dubbed the best plant-based protein shake, is still available.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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• Think Thin Oatmeal Recall
• Planet Oat Milk Recall
• Oatmega Protein Bars Recall
• Lidl Oat Milk Recall
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• Oat Mil k Brands

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Running Low on Baby Formula? Here's What You Can Do During the Shortage

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Running Low on Baby Formula? Here's What You Can Do During the Shortage

The ongoing baby formula shortage in the US, which stems from the recall and subsequent closure of a large formula plant, continues to make it exceptionally difficult for many parents to meet their babies' nutritional needs. The Senate on Thursday approved the Access to Baby Formula Act, and the Biden Administration's Operation Fly Formula initiative began flying in formula from Europe over the weekend.

The US Food and Drug Administration has announced plans to loosen some importation restrictions on formula from other countries and work with formula manufacturers to increase production.

Guidelines for WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, have also been relaxed in some states, and all are encouraged to follow suit, per a request from the White House and the US Department of Agriculture. Parents should be able to return recalled formula in exchange for a wider variety of products, and requirements for medical waivers or other restrictions should be loosened, the USDA says. (Program details vary by the state -- find your local office here.) 

If you're running low on formula, here's what pediatricians say to do and where to go.

Delmaine Donson/Getty Images

Where to look for baby formula if yours is out of stock

Retailers including CVS, Walgreens and Target have all placed limits on how many products you can purchase at once. Despite this, shelves in some stores are bare. 

If you can't find your formula, call your pediatrician to see if they have any in stock. Pediatricians often get samples of different formulas and may be able to help out, says Dr. Steven Abelowitz, pediatrician and medical director of Coastal Kids. Doctors also may have samples left over from formula representatives.

"Other places that folks can look at are different charities," Abelowitz said. Some charities or food assistance programs, such as the WIC nutrition assistance program have income requirements. However, given the shortage, some assistance programs may be more willing to expand eligibility, depending on the area or circumstance. 

If you are a WIC member, contact your local office to find formula. WIC programs nationwide have been urged to loosen restrictions and help parents find alternatives.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends checking smaller stores instead of the big retailers (like your local mom and pop shop or drug store). Social media groups dedicated to parenting may also have good resources for your area, and you may meet another parent with extra in stock. 

But make sure to run any advice you get from parenting groups by your pediatrician, the AAP notes. 

You can also safely feed formula made for babies who were born premature to full-term babies for a few weeks if your recommended formula isn't available, the AAP says.

Is it OK to switch brands? 

"Of course it's preferred to stick to the same formula," Abelowitz said, but the next alternative is finding a formula as similar as possible to the one you were using. Because there are so many formula brands, Abelowitz recommends reaching out to your pediatrician to see which formulas would be acceptable swaps. 

Because not everyone has a pediatrician they can check in with, you can also call your local pharmacy and ask to speak with a pharmacist about an alternative formula for your child, Abelowitz says.

But you should really stay away from swapping between infant and toddler formula, he says. Baby formula and toddler formula are made to address different nutritional needs. 

There are also exceptions if your child has allergies or a medical condition: "If your baby is allergic to standard formulas and you need a broken-down formula, then it's critical that you stick to that same type of formula," Abelowitz said. If this is the case for your child, make sure you talk to a pediatrician, family doctor or other expert before introducing a new food. 

In emergency situations, you can call 211 or contact Feeding America to be connected to a community specialist who can help you find local resources, according to the Infant Nutrition Council of America. 

You can also be connected with an expert through MyGerber Baby Expert to find a substitute for your formula. Finding an accredited breast milk bank may be an option for some parents in need, but you may need a prescription from a medical provider.

SDI Productions/Getty Images

Is it OK to make your own baby formula? 

"Never," said Abelowitz. It can be dangerous from a nutritional standpoint, in that the formula might be lacking essential nutrients, but it can also contain the wrong amount of electrolytes, which can cause health problems. 

"Although recipes for homemade formulas circulating on the internet may seem healthy or less expensive, they are not safe and do not meet your baby's nutritional needs," the AAP said. "Infant deaths have been reported from use of some homemade formulas." 

What about cow's milk as a substitute?

Cow's milk contains insufficient amounts of iron, Abelowitz says, and shouldn't be given to babies under 1 year old. Oat or other plant milks are also lacking in protein and minerals. 

The AAP, however, says that whole milk from a cow (not the nonfat stuff) is OK to feed a baby 6 months and older "for a brief period of time in a pinch." That is, it's better than any other alternative -- including homemade formula. If it becomes necessary, the AAP says, incorporate iron-containing solid foods into your baby's diet or talk to your pediatrician about an iron supplement. Fortified soy milk (not almond or other milk substitutes) may also be an option "for a few days in an emergency" for babies who are close to 1 year old, the AAP says, but change back to formula as soon as possible. 

But whatever you do, according to the AAP and Abelowitz, don't water down your baby's formula to make it last longer. 

"This causes nutritional imbalances, and there is a thing called water intoxication, which can be very dangerous when there's too much water as opposed to formula," he said. Specifically, sodium levels can become too low, causing hyponatremia, he says.

One last formula tip from Abelowitz: Don't buy formula in bulk that you don't need. 

"By hoarding up on it, you're obviously affecting a lot of other people," Abelowtiz said. To help ease the supply issue, the AAP advises buying no more than a 10- to 14-day supply of formula at a time. 

Read more: Baby Formula Shortage: We Know Exactly What's Causing It, and It Isn't Inflation

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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How Much Cheaper Are Store-Brand Groceries Than Name Brands?

How Much Cheaper Are Store-Brand Groceries Than Name Brands?

This story is part of Home Tips, CNET's collection of practical advice for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.

Store-brand groceries might not have all the flashy packaging and advertising oomph of your favorite cereal, seltzer and snacks. If you can grin and bear a cheesy knockoff in place of those name-brand products, though, you can save a bunch on your monthly food spending.

In a summerlong series on saving money to combat inflation, we've calculated whether it's cheaper to buy groceries online or in person and laid out some strategies for saving at Whole Foods. But it turns out one of the most surefire ways to save at the supermarket is by letting some of that brand loyalty go by the wayside. 

If you're curious about exactly how much you can save buying store-brand groceries, I've done the math and the final figures are pretty shocking. On average, it's about 40% in total savings across various grocery categories. I compared the cost difference for buying name brands versus store-brand products at two popular grocery stores. Read on for a full savings breakdown in case you decide to make the switch. 

Read more: Is Grocery Shopping Online Cheaper Than at the Store? I Did the Math

Who makes store-brand products?

First things first, it's well documented that most major food manufacturers label their products under a number of different brands, including generic or store brands. According to recent statistics captured by the Private Label Manufacturing Association, one in five store-brand products is manufactured by a private label manufacturer. It makes sense: Those manufacturers can then appeal to people who are paying at either price. But they want you to go for the brand name price, rather than the store brand. That's why advertising exists; to make you believe that brand name products are somehow better, when the truth is that identical products are often going down parallel conveyor belts, getting two different labels at the end of the production line. 

This store-brand toasted cereal retails for around $2. A box of General Mills Cheerios is more like $5.

David Watsky/CNET

Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that all store-brand, O-shaped, toasted oat cereals are actually General Mills Cheerios in disguise, but it stands to reason that for a lot of store-brand products, the quality or flavor is potentially equal to their name- counterpart. And considering the opportunity for savings, they're certainly worth a taste test. While some brand-name products are unlikely to have a generic equivalent, (like, is anyone really seeking off-brand Cool Ranch Doritos?) commodity items like canned beans or rice would seem especially safe bets in the store-brand category.

Trader Joe's beloved pepita salsa is just one example of a store-brand item that's gained fandom and loyalty all its own.

Trader Joe's

Here's how much you can save buying store brand: Wegmans vs. Stop & Shop

I chose both Wegmans and Stop & Shop to represent high-end and average grocery store chains, using Instacart to generate current prices. 

Discount grocery stores such as Trader Joe's and Aldi keep their costs low because they deal primarily in their own brands. Wegmans is an interesting example since it has a lot of its own brand loyalty, not only as a grocery store chain, but also for its Wegmans label. (Seriously, I know people who would cross state lines to stock up on its flavored seltzers. Take that, LaCroix.) Stop & Shop is generally perceived as a midrange grocery chain, with good selection and good quality, and not considered expensive, but neither is it revered for its generic brand, which is simply called SB or Store Brand. 

Despite perceptions, however, both Wegmans and Stop & Shop are relatively aligned on prices, for both national and store-brand products. Wegmans came out a little ahead in price for name-brand products, in fact: The whole order was about $2 less than Stop & Shop's. Store-brand prices were within 20 cents of each other for the full list at both stores.

Cost of store brand versus name brand

	Wegmans	Wegmans store brand	Stop & Shop	Stop & Shop store brand
Goya chick peas, 16 ounces	$1.49	$1.09	$1.19	$1.09
Barilla thin spaghetti, 16 ounces	$2.29	$1.19	$2.49	$1.49
Arnold whole wheat bread, 24 ounces	$4.99	$3.49	$5.69	$2.69
Bird's Eye frozen broccoli florets, 12 ounces	$3.29	$1.79	$3.39	$3.29
Skippy creamy peanut butter, 16 ounces	$4.29	$2.69	$3.49	$2.89
Honey Nut Cheerios, 10 ounces*	$4.39	$2.29	$6.49	$2.79
Organic Valley/Horizon reduced fat organic milk, half-gallon	$6.39	$5.09	$6.29	$5.19
FAGE nonfat Greek yogurt, plain, 32 ounces	$7.49	$4.99	$7.89	$5.79
Bonne Maman strawberry preserves, 13 ounces*	$6.39	$4.09	$6.99	$4.19
Mission flour tortillas, soft taco size, 10-pack	$3.49	$1.79	$4.49	$2.59
Rao's homemade marinara, 24 ounces	$9.19	$1.19	$9.79	$1.99
Finlandia/Sargento sliced swiss cheese, 7 ounces*	$6.89	$3.09	$5.79	$3.69
Starbucks Breakfast Blend ground coffee, 12 ounces	$12.69	$7.49	$12.69	$5.19
Smithfield thick cut bacon, 16 ounces	$9.79	$7.89	$9.49	$7.99
Heinz Original tomato ketchup, 20 ounces	$3.49	$2.09	$3.19	$2.89
Lay's Classic potato chips, 8 ounces	$4.59	$2.69	$5.29	$2.39
LaCroix sparkling water, 12-pack	$6.89	$4.09	$7.39	$4.69
Swanson chicken broth, 32 ounces	$4.59	$3.79	$3.49	$2.79
Colavita extra virgin olive oil, 17 ounces	$13.79	$8.09	$12.49	$5.79
Hellman's mayonnaise, 30 ounces	$6.89	$4.89	$6.99	$4.19
	$123.30	$73.80	$125.00	$73.60
*Indicates store-brand item whose quantity was greater for listed price

Buying store brand can mean huge savings

For both Wegmans and Stop & Shop, the huge savings in buying generic products can't be denied. The original shopping list of 20 staple items amounted to about $125 in both locations, with the store-brand version of the list coming to just under $75. That's an average of 40% savings over the whole list. 

Granted, this doesn't represent a complete shopping list, since certain grocery categories were excluded intentionally. Some of these items, such as condiments, are products that you might shop for once in a while, rather than weekly. Regardless, the math is clear: Store-brand products are significant potential savings in your grocery shopping experience.

Certain grocery stores including Trader Joe's and Wegmans have managed to cultivate cult-like fandom for their own brands.

Wegmans

How I evaluated name brands vs. store brands

Using grocery shopping list templates available online, I generated a list of 20 common staple ingredients from the pantry, bakery, dairy, deli and freezer sections, covering a variety of prices. Items such as whole fruits and vegetables and butchered meats aren't typically subject to brand (or they're rarely revealed) and I discluded them for the purposes of this investigation. For each of the items I selected, I compared prices between national, well-known brands and the store brand of the same item, at roughly the same size, using Instacart. If there's a discrepancy in size, I've noted that with an asterisk, but did not adjust the price accordingly, since I wanted to reflect an accurate total of what you'd pay for a grocery list's worth of either name-brand or store-brand products. 

In most cases, the store-brand model was the larger size of the two items anyway, meaning even more savings if you factor in its relative value. For example, at Wegmans, Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves are $6.39 for 13 ounces, whereas Wegmans brand Strawberry Preserves are only $4.09 for a full 18 ounces, nearly 50% more product. The savings on your grocery receipt will amount to $2.30, but if you scale up the Bonne Maman price to match the same amount of store-brand product, its price would become $8.85, representing a savings of $4.76, or over 50%, for the Wegmans brand.

Read more:  Hungryroot Review: Meal Kits and Grocery Delivery Together as One

Certain upscale and imported goods like Bonne Maman preserves will cost you significantly more than store brand. 

Bonne Maman

Where are the biggest savings on store-brand items?

Between both Wegmans and Stop & Shop, the more the brand-name item cost, the more savings were typically available, not only in terms of pure dollars and cents but also as percentage savings between the brand name and store brand. Brand-name items above $5 tended to result in the largest percentage discount, with bigger-ticket items such as olive oil, coffee and spaghetti sauce pushing 50% off or more for their generic or store-brand counterparts. 

Pricier items such as olive oil and marinara sauce are where you're likely to see bigger savings if you opt for store brand.

Colavita

Less expensive items, especially those under $2 to begin with, may offer only 10% to 30% savings overall. For example, approximately 17 ounces of Colavita Extra virgin olive oil costs $12.79 at Stop & Shop, whereas the equivalent store-brand olive oil costs only $5.79, which amounts to over 55% off the name-brand price. 

On the other hand, 16 ounces of Goya chickpeas are only $1.19 to begin with. With the store brand being only 10 cents less, the savings only amount to 8%. Olive oil, however, is more likely to be subject to quality and flavor nuance, so while the savings can be much larger, it may be a matter of personal preference if the savings are worth it. Chickpeas are generally less subject to flavor or texture scrutiny.

Costco's Kirkland is another budget store brand that has garnered its own customer loyalty. 

Costco

Does every grocery store have its own brand?

While store brands are growing, not every grocery store has its own brand, and many just carry no-name or generic brands in addition to name-brand products. Among store brands, there are those that carry the name of the store in its proprietary label, such as Wegmans, Publix, Kroger and others that have a separate label for store-brand products, such as Stop & Shop's SB, Walmart's Great Value and Costco's Kirkland Signature. Whichever the case, it's worth getting to know your local grocer's store-brand products, to see where you may be able to generate huge savings in your grocery bill.

More money-saving kitchen intel

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How Much Cheaper Are Store-Brand Groceries Than Name Brands?

How Much Cheaper Are Store-Brand Groceries Than Name Brands?

This story is part of Home Tips, CNET's collection of practical advice for getting the most out of your home, inside and out.

Store-brand groceries might not have all the flashy packaging and advertising oomph of your favorite cereal, seltzer and snacks. If you can grin and bear a cheesy knockoff in place of those name-brand products, though, you can save a bunch on your monthly food spending.

In a summerlong series on saving money to combat inflation, we've calculated whether it's cheaper to buy groceries online or in person and laid out some strategies for saving at Whole Foods. But it turns out one of the most surefire ways to save at the supermarket is by letting some of that brand loyalty go by the wayside. 

If you're curious about exactly how much you can save buying store-brand groceries, I've done the math and the final figures are pretty shocking. On average, it's about 40% in total savings across various grocery categories. I compared the cost difference for buying name brands versus store-brand products at two popular grocery stores. Read on for a full savings breakdown in case you decide to make the switch. 

Read more: Is Grocery Shopping Online Cheaper Than at the Store? I Did the Math

Who makes store-brand products?

First things first, it's well documented that most major food manufacturers label their products under a number of different brands, including generic or store brands. According to recent statistics captured by the Private Label Manufacturing Association, one in five store-brand products is manufactured by a private label manufacturer. It makes sense: Those manufacturers can then appeal to people who are paying at either price. But they want you to go for the brand name price, rather than the store brand. That's why advertising exists; to make you believe that brand name products are somehow better, when the truth is that identical products are often going down parallel conveyor belts, getting two different labels at the end of the production line. 

This store-brand toasted cereal retails for around $2. A box of General Mills Cheerios is more like $5.

David Watsky/CNET

Now, this doesn't necessarily mean that all store-brand, O-shaped, toasted oat cereals are actually General Mills Cheerios in disguise, but it stands to reason that for a lot of store-brand products, the quality or flavor is potentially equal to their name- counterpart. And considering the opportunity for savings, they're certainly worth a taste test. While some brand-name products are unlikely to have a generic equivalent, (like, is anyone really seeking off-brand Cool Ranch Doritos?) commodity items like canned beans or rice would seem especially safe bets in the store-brand category.

Trader Joe's beloved pepita salsa is just one example of a store-brand item that's gained fandom and loyalty all its own.

Trader Joe's

Here's how much you can save buying store brand: Wegmans vs. Stop & Shop

I chose both Wegmans and Stop & Shop to represent high-end and average grocery store chains, using Instacart to generate current prices. 

Discount grocery stores such as Trader Joe's and Aldi keep their costs low because they deal primarily in their own brands. Wegmans is an interesting example since it has a lot of its own brand loyalty, not only as a grocery store chain, but also for its Wegmans label. (Seriously, I know people who would cross state lines to stock up on its flavored seltzers. Take that, LaCroix.) Stop & Shop is generally perceived as a midrange grocery chain, with good selection and good quality, and not considered expensive, but neither is it revered for its generic brand, which is simply called SB or Store Brand. 

Despite perceptions, however, both Wegmans and Stop & Shop are relatively aligned on prices, for both national and store-brand products. Wegmans came out a little ahead in price for name-brand products, in fact: The whole order was about $2 less than Stop & Shop's. Store-brand prices were within 20 cents of each other for the full list at both stores.

Cost of store brand versus name brand

	Wegmans	Wegmans store brand	Stop & Shop	Stop & Shop store brand
Goya chick peas, 16 ounces	$1.49	$1.09	$1.19	$1.09
Barilla thin spaghetti, 16 ounces	$2.29	$1.19	$2.49	$1.49
Arnold whole wheat bread, 24 ounces	$4.99	$3.49	$5.69	$2.69
Bird's Eye frozen broccoli florets, 12 ounces	$3.29	$1.79	$3.39	$3.29
Skippy creamy peanut butter, 16 ounces	$4.29	$2.69	$3.49	$2.89
Honey Nut Cheerios, 10 ounces*	$4.39	$2.29	$6.49	$2.79
Organic Valley/Horizon reduced fat organic milk, half-gallon	$6.39	$5.09	$6.29	$5.19
FAGE nonfat Greek yogurt, plain, 32 ounces	$7.49	$4.99	$7.89	$5.79
Bonne Maman strawberry preserves, 13 ounces*	$6.39	$4.09	$6.99	$4.19
Mission flour tortillas, soft taco size, 10-pack	$3.49	$1.79	$4.49	$2.59
Rao's homemade marinara, 24 ounces	$9.19	$1.19	$9.79	$1.99
Finlandia/Sargento sliced swiss cheese, 7 ounces*	$6.89	$3.09	$5.79	$3.69
Starbucks Breakfast Blend ground coffee, 12 ounces	$12.69	$7.49	$12.69	$5.19
Smithfield thick cut bacon, 16 ounces	$9.79	$7.89	$9.49	$7.99
Heinz Original tomato ketchup, 20 ounces	$3.49	$2.09	$3.19	$2.89
Lay's Classic potato chips, 8 ounces	$4.59	$2.69	$5.29	$2.39
LaCroix sparkling water, 12-pack	$6.89	$4.09	$7.39	$4.69
Swanson chicken broth, 32 ounces	$4.59	$3.79	$3.49	$2.79
Colavita extra virgin olive oil, 17 ounces	$13.79	$8.09	$12.49	$5.79
Hellman's mayonnaise, 30 ounces	$6.89	$4.89	$6.99	$4.19
	$123.30	$73.80	$125.00	$73.60
*Indicates store-brand item whose quantity was greater for listed price

Buying store brand can mean huge savings

For both Wegmans and Stop & Shop, the huge savings in buying generic products can't be denied. The original shopping list of 20 staple items amounted to about $125 in both locations, with the store-brand version of the list coming to just under $75. That's an average of 40% savings over the whole list. 

Granted, this doesn't represent a complete shopping list, since certain grocery categories were excluded intentionally. Some of these items, such as condiments, are products that you might shop for once in a while, rather than weekly. Regardless, the math is clear: Store-brand products are significant potential savings in your grocery shopping experience.

Certain grocery stores including Trader Joe's and Wegmans have managed to cultivate cult-like fandom for their own brands.

Wegmans

How I evaluated name brands vs. store brands

Using grocery shopping list templates available online, I generated a list of 20 common staple ingredients from the pantry, bakery, dairy, deli and freezer sections, covering a variety of prices. Items such as whole fruits and vegetables and butchered meats aren't typically subject to brand (or they're rarely revealed) and I discluded them for the purposes of this investigation. For each of the items I selected, I compared prices between national, well-known brands and the store brand of the same item, at roughly the same size, using Instacart. If there's a discrepancy in size, I've noted that with an asterisk, but did not adjust the price accordingly, since I wanted to reflect an accurate total of what you'd pay for a grocery list's worth of either name-brand or store-brand products. 

In most cases, the store-brand model was the larger size of the two items anyway, meaning even more savings if you factor in its relative value. For example, at Wegmans, Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves are $6.39 for 13 ounces, whereas Wegmans brand Strawberry Preserves are only $4.09 for a full 18 ounces, nearly 50% more product. The savings on your grocery receipt will amount to $2.30, but if you scale up the Bonne Maman price to match the same amount of store-brand product, its price would become $8.85, representing a savings of $4.76, or over 50%, for the Wegmans brand.

Read more:  Hungryroot Review: Meal Kits and Grocery Delivery Together as One

Certain upscale and imported goods like Bonne Maman preserves will cost you significantly more than store brand. 

Bonne Maman

Where are the biggest savings on store-brand items?

Between both Wegmans and Stop & Shop, the more the brand-name item cost, the more savings were typically available, not only in terms of pure dollars and cents but also as percentage savings between the brand name and store brand. Brand-name items above $5 tended to result in the largest percentage discount, with bigger-ticket items such as olive oil, coffee and spaghetti sauce pushing 50% off or more for their generic or store-brand counterparts. 

Pricier items such as olive oil and marinara sauce are where you're likely to see bigger savings if you opt for store brand.

Colavita

Less expensive items, especially those under $2 to begin with, may offer only 10% to 30% savings overall. For example, approximately 17 ounces of Colavita Extra virgin olive oil costs $12.79 at Stop & Shop, whereas the equivalent store-brand olive oil costs only $5.79, which amounts to over 55% off the name-brand price. 

On the other hand, 16 ounces of Goya chickpeas are only $1.19 to begin with. With the store brand being only 10 cents less, the savings only amount to 8%. Olive oil, however, is more likely to be subject to quality and flavor nuance, so while the savings can be much larger, it may be a matter of personal preference if the savings are worth it. Chickpeas are generally less subject to flavor or texture scrutiny.

Costco's Kirkland is another budget store brand that has garnered its own customer loyalty. 

Costco

Does every grocery store have its own brand?

While store brands are growing, not every grocery store has its own brand, and many just carry no-name or generic brands in addition to name-brand products. Among store brands, there are those that carry the name of the store in its proprietary label, such as Wegmans, Publix, Kroger and others that have a separate label for store-brand products, such as Stop & Shop's SB, Walmart's Great Value and Costco's Kirkland Signature. Whichever the case, it's worth getting to know your local grocer's store-brand products, to see where you may be able to generate huge savings in your grocery bill.

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