When it comes to generic versus brand name, which is best? As it turns out, that depends on what you are buying.
A test of sunscreens by Consumer Reports found Walmart, Target, and Walgreen brands were the most effective, and some of the brand names were actually the worst.
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A report also found generic kitchen staples like salt, sugar, and baking soda were more likely to be bought by cooking industry professionals, which points to similarities in quality.
The FDA highly regulates the quality of infant formula, so differences between generic and name brands are often down to taste and texture.
When it comes to packaged products, take it on a case-to-case basis. A report from the AP found the simpler the product, the more identical to the brand name it's likely to be. Often generics will have the same sources and distributors as the name brands.