The magazine was published in early November 60 million consumers analyzed about a hundred foods. Bread spreads, flour, meat… The newspaper compared products from major brands with cheap products that are attracting more and more customers. Consumer association UFC-Que Choisir also compared these products in 2022. Nutritional profile, quality, composition… Here are three “economical” products that are better for your health than those of the major brands.
You have to duck to catch them. On supermarket shelves, at the bottom of the shelves, products with monochrome packaging – often white – are increasingly attracting the attention of consumers looking for good deals. And the brands have understood that well. “We also bottle volcanoes, but 30% cheaper,” attacks the banner of a major French distribution brand in an offensive advertising campaign.
A study published by the newspaper in early November 60 million consumersshows that private label products, which are on average a third cheaper than national brands, are becoming increasingly attractive to the French. “The first prizes are even 40 to 50% cheaper, or even more in certain categories,” the newspaper adds. A kilo of pasta from a major national brand costs €2.14, while that from a distributor range costs €1.30.
Also read: Food: What are the lowest price products worth? What 60 million consumers say
However, these entry-level items are lying around “a bad reputation”noted the consumer association UFC-Que Choisir in its magazine published in November 2022. These ‘economic’ products are rich in additives, palm oil – the production of which pollutes the planet – and other undesirable ingredients and have a bad press.
However, this is evident from a study by 60 million consumers which screened 110 cheap products sold in supermarkets, half of which are as good for health as their national brand counterparts. “The least processed products, such as flour, salt, pasta or sugar, the compositions differ little between the two ranges”the magazine points out Capital. The consumer association UFC-Que Choisir also compared these products in 2022. Here are three so-called ‘economical’ products that – depending on the price and their composition – are better for your health than their counterparts sold by major national brands.
1. Pizza
Of the seven selected pizzas, six first prizes and one national brand, the latter only ranks fourth in the rankings compiled by UFC-Que Choisir. “Several first-price pizzas show an almost correct ingredient list and contain half as much cheese as those of the national brand, and therefore half as much saturated fatty acids,” the association explains in its magazine.
2. The sandwiches
Although less rich in additives than these premium counterparts, national brand brioche ranked only fifth among the nine brioches studied by UFC-Que Choisir. “It is the only brand that uses non-concentrated butter in its product”, describes the association. And to continue: “Tastier for sure, but also richer in saturated fatty acids than the oil that brands prefer “ first prizes ». »
3. Salami
If industrial salami sold in supermarkets is not an example of a ‘good product’, cheap salami does better than that of a major brand. “All salamis, whether premium or branded, contain carcinogenic nitrites and other undesirable componentssaid UFC-Que Choisir. But that one [de la grande marque – NDLR] is the only one that also contains maltodextin and “herbal extracts” instead of real herbs. »
Also read: Charcuterie: new legislative attempt to regulate carcinogenic nitrites
Avoid cheap ham to maintain your health
To reduce production costs, some manufacturers add additives to their products. This is the case for cold cuts and more specifically ham. “100% of cheap hams contain nitrites, a preservative that health authorities say promotes colorectal cancer”explains Sophie Coisne, deputy editor-in-chief of the magazine 60 millions de consommateurs, in a report broadcast on TF1. And to continue: “If you don’t have a budget and buy cheap, you will definitely have these nitrites. »