The products of cheaper distributor brands remain less healthy, reveals 60 million consumers

Do distributor brands food products are really worth it? If they remain acclaimed due to their lower prices, their composition is not always exemplary. These products may contain potentially harmful additives, according to a survey of 60 million consumers published this Thursday, which is important disparities between brands.

The study of the magazine published by the Public Establishment National Institute of Consumer Affairs (inc) is based on data from 3,000 to 6,000 products referenced by the Open Food Facts database, at six distribution brands: Auchan, Carrefour, Intermarché, E. Leclerc, Lidl and Cooperative U.

Reinforced popularity with inflation

First observation, the popularity of these products, compared to those of major brands, is important and has progressed thanks to the high inflation of prices in 2022 and 2023. Brand products are on average 20 to 30 % cheaper than their brand equivalents … Even if these food product ranges have also seen their prices increase.

A “bad” composition for certain products

Although ACHAN and CARREFOUR do better in the matter, LIDL and Intermarché acting as bad students, “the general picture is rather bad”, points out the study. Out of 30 products among the most commonly sold, only four collect a “good” appreciation against eight “very bad” scores, all brands combined.

On the price side, those of the distributor brands have “climbed more” than those of major brands since December 2021, notes 60 million consumers. Thus, even if these products remain on average “30 to 35 % cheaper [par rapport] To the equivalent products of major brands ”, all products combined, their prices increased by 20 % against 14 % in major brands.