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Is branded always better?

Compare branded and unbranded food items and see which wins the taste test.

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You’ll need

  • Pens or pencils
  • A4 paper
  • Sticky notes
  • Chopping boards
  • Access to a sink
  • Tables
  • Plates
  • Cocktail sticks
  • Forks
  • Food items

Before you begin 

  • Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. There’s also more guidance to help you carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
  • Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
  • Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help.

Planning and setting up this activity

  • Set up different tables for each category (such as bread, juice).
  • Label each item as A, B, C and so on. 
  • Keep a separate answer sheet with the correct brands and prices.
  • To reduce waste, divide food into small portions before the session starts.
  • Clearly label any special dietary items (such as gluten-free or dairy-free) and store them safely to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Some young people may have used food banks or know someone who has. Always speak respectfully and focus on the positive support food banks provide. Avoid ‘othering’ food bank users (talking about them as a group who are totally different to the people in the discussion).

Aim of the activity

The aim of this activity is to compare branded and unbranded food items commonly found in weekly shopping lists (such as milk, bread, beans, biscuits, and chocolate). You'll conduct a taste test to guess which items are branded and which are unbranded, then match the products to their price points.

Becoming a Critical Consumer

  • Value for Money
  • Making Financial Decisions

Running this activity

  1. Ask if anyone has noticed the price differences between branded and unbranded foods. See if anyone can name any they’ve come across.
  2. Explain that they'll taste both branded and unbranded versions of the same item. 
  3. After tasting them, they’ll guess which is branded and which is unbranded, and try to guess how much each one costs. 
  4. Finally, they’ll choose their favourite and see if the taste or price influenced them the most.
  5. Make sure everyone washes their hands.
  6. Get into small groups. 
  7. Ask groups to move between the different tables and to write down:
    • the letter of their favourite product
    • whether it’s a branded or unbranded product.
  8. Once everyone has been to each table, gather them back together and reveal all the answers. 
  9. Now, read out the cost of the products for each category. Ask them to guess the price of each one. Will the branded item be more expensive, or are they surprised?
  10. Alternatively, you may wish to write the prices of the items in the category on a piece of paper and place it on the table. Avoid including any brand names or details that would give away what the product is.

This activity may touch on sensitive topics, such as food, money or food banks, which some young people or their families might be affected by. 

It’s important to create a safe, positive and supportive space where everyone feels comfortable. Let everyone know it’s okay to ask questions, say if they feel unsure, or step away at any time. Always follow the Yellow Card.

You might need to make adjustments, such as:

  • Tell people about the activity in advance
  • Offer the option to leave or do an alternative activity
  • Speak with parents or carers beforehand
  • Remind everyone they can talk to a trusted adult if they’re upset or worried

You can offer trusted support services if needed, such as Childline (0800 1111), Citizen’s Advice (0808 223 1133) and Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).

The Trussell Trust is a great place to start looking for a food bank near you. You can find details of independent food banks online. The UK Government have some debt advice support too.

Make sure that all adult volunteers and young leaders keep all discussions age-appropriate and supportive.

Reflection

This activity was all about trying and comparing branded and unbranded food items. Which branded item did you prefer, if any? What made you feel that way? How did the unbranded item compare—was it different from what you expected? People often have different views on whether branded or unbranded products offer better value. What do you think matters most—taste, price, packaging, or something else?

Some branded and unbranded products are actually made in the same place and use similar ingredients. Often, the main differences come down to things like the label or how the product is marketed. Branded items can cost more due to these extra elements. Unbranded options may be cheaper because they don’t include those additional costs. Do you think the branded items offered something extra that was worth the price, or did the unbranded ones seem like good value too?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

You must run your activities in line with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct for Adults (Yellow Card) and report any concerns to the UK HQ Safeguarding Team.

Outdoor activities

You must have permission to use the location. Always check the weather forecast, and inform parents and carers of any change in venue.

Food

Remember to check for allergies, eating problems, fasting or dietary requirements and adjust the recipe as needed. Make sure you’ve suitable areas for storing and preparing food and avoid cross contamination of different foods. Take a look at our guidance on food safety and hygiene.

  • To make this activity harder, you could have people guess the prices instead of choosing from a list.
  • Check for allergies or dietary needs and adjust ingredients if needed. Use separate tools, such as chopping boards, toasters, and tongs, to avoid cross-contamination. Check with parents or carers, and keep any packaging for them to check.
  • Some people may find eating difficult for different reasons, such as sensory sensitivities, eating disorders, food preferences, or fasting. The National Autistic Society has helpful guidance on some common food issues. It’s OK if someone doesn’t like or want to try certain foods—offer alternatives but never force them.
  • Eating and cooking can be noisy and have lots of different smells, which might be overwhelming. Offer ear defenders, fragrance-free soap, or breaks.
  • Keep noisy equipment, such as chopping or blending, in another room or do loud tasks before everyone arrives.

All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.

Scouts Money Skills Activity Badge

If you enjoyed this activity, why not try out our other HSBC money skills activities.