Standing in front of a supermarket shelf with six brands of peanut butter, three pack sizes and prices all over the place, most people do one of two things: grab the cheapest, or grab the brand they recognise. Neither is a real comparison. Learning how to compare food products properly means looking past the price tag and the packaging to compare what you actually get — the quantity, the quality and the nutritional value.
This matters more in the UAE than almost anywhere else, because shelves here carry local brands, regional imports and international products side by side, with wildly different pack sizes. A quick, repeatable method for comparing food products will cut your grocery bill and improve what ends up on your plate. Here is how to do it.
Quick Answer
To compare food products: first compare the price per unit (price per 100g, per kilogram or per litre), not the price on the shelf; second, compare the nutrition panels using the per-100g column; third, compare the ingredient lists — shorter and more recognisable is usually better; fourth, factor in taste, brand reliability and where you buy. The cheapest pack is only the best value if you are comparing equal quality and quantity.
How to Compare Food Products: The Four-Step Method
Use the same four steps every time and comparisons become fast and automatic.
Step 1: Compare price per unit, not shelf price
Pack sizes are designed to confuse. One brand sells 400g for AED 8, another sells 750g for AED 13 — which is cheaper? You cannot tell without the unit price. UAE supermarkets usually print the price per kilogram or per litre on the shelf label; when they do not, do the maths yourself:
| Product | Shelf Price | Pack Size | Price per 100g |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand A oats | AED 8.00 | 400g | AED 2.00 |
| Brand B oats | AED 13.00 | 750g | AED 1.73 |
| Store brand oats | AED 6.50 | 500g | AED 1.30 |
The “expensive” brand is often cheaper per unit. Bigger packs usually (but not always) win on unit price — always verify, because “family size” packs are sometimes priced identically per unit or even higher. This is one of the traps covered in our list of common grocery shopping mistakes.
Step 2: Compare nutrition panels per 100g
Once price is settled, compare what is inside. Line the products up and read the nutrition panel using the per-100g column — never the per-serving column, because manufacturers choose serving sizes that flatter their product. Compare like for like:
- Sugar per 100g — the product with noticeably less sugar is usually the better pick in categories like cereals, yoghurts and sauces.
- Salt per 100g — bread, cheese and canned foods vary enormously here.
- Saturated fat per 100g — worth comparing in dairy, snacks and cooking oils.
- Fibre and protein per 100g — higher is generally better.
In Abu Dhabi, the Nutri-Mark grade (A to E) on some products shortcuts this whole step — two products in the same category with different grades have already been compared for you. Our guide on how to check packaged food before buying walks through reading these panels in detail.
Step 3: Compare the ingredient lists
Two products can have similar nutrition panels but very different ingredient quality. Read both lists:
- Order matters — ingredients are listed by weight, so the first few items tell you what the product mostly is.
- Length matters — a shorter list with recognisable ingredients is usually less processed.
- Watch for sugar by other names — glucose syrup, fructose, dextrose, maltodextrin and fruit juice concentrate are all sugars. A product listing three of them separately can look lower in sugar than it is.
- Check for what you care about — allergens, gelatine, alcohol-based flavourings, artificial colours. If any of these matter to you, the ingredient list settles the comparison instantly.
Step 4: Factor in the intangibles
Price and labels do not capture everything. Consider:
- Taste — the cheapest option is not good value if nobody in your house will eat it.
- Freshness and shelf life — a slightly pricier product with a much longer expiry date may be the smarter buy, especially for items you use slowly.
- Packaging waste and storage — bulk packs are cheaper per unit but pointless if you cannot store them properly in the UAE heat.
- Brand consistency — established brands tend to be more consistent batch to batch, which matters for things like infant formula or cooking staples.
Brand Name vs Store Brand: A Fair Comparison
Store brands in UAE supermarkets have improved enormously and are often made in the same factories as branded products. Compare them honestly using the method above rather than assuming the brand name means better quality. Where store brands genuinely lag, it is usually in taste and texture rather than safety or nutrition — and sometimes there is no difference at all. Try the store version of one staple per shopping trip; within a month you will know which swaps are worth keeping.
Local vs Imported Products
UAE shelves mix local dairy, regional produce and imports from everywhere. When comparing:
- Freshness — local products usually travelled less far and may be fresher, which matters for dairy, bread and juices.
- Formulation differences — the same international brand can have a different recipe in different markets, so do not assume the version you knew back home is identical.
- Price — imports carry shipping and duty costs, so a comparable local product is often cheaper per unit.
- Labelling — all products sold here must carry Arabic labelling, but imported products rely on a sticker; make sure it is present and legible.
Comparing Where You Buy, Not Just What You Buy
The same product can cost very different amounts depending on where you shop. Hypermarkets usually beat small groceries on packaged goods, while local markets can be cheaper for fresh produce. Online grocery platforms add delivery fees that change the maths — check our guide on how to check food delivery charges before assuming an online deal is really a deal. And when you order groceries online, compare the delivered unit price against the shelf unit price, not just the listed price.
Promotions deserve scepticism too. “Buy one get one free” is only a saving if you will use both before the expiry date — for perishables, it is often just a way to sell you double. Compare the promotion’s unit price against the regular unit price of the competing brand; sometimes the “deal” still loses.
Mistakes People Make When Comparing Food Products
- Comparing shelf prices instead of unit prices. The single most common error — and the one retailers count on.
- Trusting the front of the pack. “Light”, “natural” and “no added sugar” are marketing. The nutrition panel and ingredient list are the facts.
- Comparing different serving sizes. Per-serving numbers are meaningless across brands unless the servings are identical. Always use per 100g.
- Ignoring pack size changes. Shrinkflation is real — a familiar brand in a slightly smaller pack at the same price is a price increase. The unit price exposes it.
- Forgetting delivery and bulk costs. A cheap online price plus a delivery fee can exceed the hypermarket shelf price. Compare the total cost to your door.
For a broader look at planning and budgeting your shop, see our complete grocery shopping guide.
What to Do If a Comparison Reveals a Problem
Sometimes comparing products surfaces something wrong — a shelf price that does not match the checkout price, a product whose label contradicts its claims, or a pack that is short on quantity. Keep your receipt and raise it with the store first; most will correct it on the spot. If they do not, UAE consumer protection laws are on your side, and in Dubai you can file a complaint through the official consumer complaints portal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I calculate price per unit?
Divide the price by the quantity in a standard unit. For example, AED 12 for 800g: 12 ÷ 8 = AED 1.50 per 100g, or AED 15 per kilogram. Many UAE supermarket shelf labels already show this figure — look for the small print under the main price.
Is the cheapest food product always the best value?
No. Value means what you get for the price — quantity, quality, nutrition and whether it gets used. A cheaper product that spoils faster, tastes worse or gets thrown away is not good value. Compare unit price first, then quality, then decide.
Should I compare per serving or per 100g on nutrition labels?
Always per 100g. Serving sizes are set by the manufacturer and differ between brands, so per-serving numbers cannot be compared fairly. The per-100g column puts every product on the same scale.
Are store brands as good as name brands?
Often, yes — many are produced to similar standards and differ mainly in price. Compare the nutrition panel and ingredient list rather than assuming. For taste-sensitive items, try the store brand once before committing; you may be surprised.
How do I compare fresh and frozen versions of the same food?
Compare unit price, then nutrition and convenience. Frozen vegetables and fish are often nutritionally comparable to fresh and cheaper, with far less waste. Fresh wins on texture for some items. There is no universal answer — compare per product.
What is shrinkflation and how do I spot it?
Shrinkflation is when a product’s pack size gets smaller while the price stays the same — effectively a hidden price rise. Spot it by checking the unit price (price per 100g or per kg) rather than the shelf price, and by glancing at the net weight of products you buy regularly.
The Bottom Line
Comparing food products well comes down to a simple habit: unit price first, nutrition panel per 100g second, ingredient list third, and everything else — taste, freshness, where you buy — last. Do it the same way every time and it takes seconds. In a market as varied as the UAE’s, that habit is worth real money every single week.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.