What Walmart Employees Know About In-House Brands That Most Shoppers Don't - Tasting Table

"Prices at the grocery store have never been higher, and that upward trajectory is only likely to keep getting worse, at least short-term. However, since we still need to eat the same amount as before, consumers continue to fill their carts with a higher proportion of budget-friendly products. Store-brand groceries have never been more popular, thanks to this tightening of the collective economic belt, but this forced swap may not actually be as bad as it seems."

"While it is notoriously difficult to track down the producers behind stores' signature label products, occasionally something slips out. Like, for instance, when Land O' Lakes butter supposedly arrived filled with Walmart's Great Value product. The folks working at the stores also sometimes have inside knowledge, and there are plenty of employees on the internet ready to spill the beans on the popular brands behind Walmart's Great Value products."

"Obviously what we read on social media needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but according to alleged Walmart employees online, the Great Value chocolate chips come from Hershey's, the yogurt from Dannon, the cereals from Kellogg's, and the zip-top bags from Ziploc, among other big names. The same producer doesn't necessarily mean the same product, but it may be indicative of a similar level of quality."

"Even if we can't fully trust these voices online (and the manufacturer of store-brand products is not disclosed on the packaging), there is one way that these relationships can be pinned down. Each time Walmart issues a food recall, the documentation offers insight into where these Great Value products come from."

Grocery prices are rising, and consumers still need the same amount of food, so shopping shifts toward budget-friendly store-brand items. Great Value products have become especially popular as household budgets tighten. Claims from Walmart employees online suggest that some Great Value products are produced by major brand manufacturers, such as Hershey’s for chocolate chips, Dannon for yogurt, Kellogg’s for cereals, and Ziploc for zip-top bags. The same producer does not guarantee the same exact product, but it can indicate a similar quality level. Store-brand packaging does not disclose manufacturers, but food recall documentation can reveal production sources when Walmart issues recalls.

Read at Tasting Table