Consumer Reports names great everyday products

Posted Thursday, May 15, 2008

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Yonkers, NY — Before that next trip to the supermarket, check out Consumer Reports’ May issue which highlights great household staples available at the local grocery store or online. These top-performing supermarket products were all judged excellent or very good in CR’s tests. The report also features ten tips to help consumers save at the supermarket.

“The variety of products available at the supermarket can be overwhelming to consumers,” says Tod Marks, senior editor for Consumer Reports. “CR’s list will point them to some of the better every-day staples for their pantries.”

Consumer Reports’ list of great everyday products features recommendations in five major categories — foods, snacks, drinks, personal care, and stuff for the home — and 39 product subcategories. Most picks in each category were pitted against many competitors; some were compared with just a few products. Where CR evaluated a small slice of the market, there could be better alternatives.

Barbeque Sauce: KC Masterpiece Original, the sole product named in this category, is highlighted for its versatility, sweet molasses flavor, some heat and just enough smoke to make food taste like it was grilled.

Cereal: Toasted oats, frosted flakes and mini-wheats have long-been breakfast staples. CR found that store brands stood-up to major brand cereals in taste tests. The following products were judged excellent or very good:

§ Cheerios

§ Malt-O-Meal Frosted Flakes

§ Kellogg’s Mini-Wheats

§ Malt-O-Meal Scooters

§ Kroger Mini-Wheats

§ Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes

§ Malt-O-Meal Mini-Spooners

Toothpaste: Ultrabrite All in One Advanced Whitening is the only toothpaste CR tested that proved excellent at stain removal. It is also average in abrasiveness, which means it shouldn’t damage teeth or gums.

Facial Tissues: Puffs Extra (non-lotion) beat out other brands and is praised for its combination of strength and softness.

Paper Towels: Bounty and Kirkland Signature Premium (available at Costco) paper towels both sop up water and cooking oil thoroughly and quickly.

Food Storage Bags: Great Value (Wal-Mart) Slider and Ziploc With Easy Zipper food storage bags are very strong and resist puncture, important features for bags that are filled to capacity or stored with foods that have sharp edges.

1. Make a list and stick to it. CR also advises against shopping when hungry; consumers may be tempted to overbuy.

2. Consider store brands. They tend to be significantly cheaper and often at least as good as their brand-name counterparts.

3. Compare prices in different areas of the store. Cheese at the deli counter, for example, is often pricier than sliced or chunked cheese in the dairy case.

4. Weigh the cost of convenience. Consumers who opt for single-serving portions or prepped and precut foods may find themselves paying more for these products.

5. Evaluate endcaps. Products displayed at the end of aisles may not be on sale or they may be expiring soon. CR suggests checking the price and the expiration date.

6. Compare unit prices. Big packages are often more economical, but not always. Comparing unit prices (per ounce, etc.) is especially important when one size is on sale.

7. Clip coupons. Check out the Sunday newspaper inserts or visit Web sites such as www.coolsavings.com, www.valpack.com, and www.smartsource.com to print out coupons. CR warns consumers not to buy products they normally wouldn’t just because they have a coupon for it.

8. Get a store card. With a preferred-shopper card, consumers receive automatic discounts on products in the store circular without clipping coupons.

9. Don’t assume all items advertised in circulars are on sale. Manufacturers may have paid for the placement.

10. Beware of last-minute temptations. Single-serving snacks at the checkout counter cost more than the multipacks of like items along the aisles.

The full listing of great everyday products is featured in May 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, available everywhere magazines are sold and free online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this newspaper's web site.