SUE HAYWARD CONSUMER CHAMPION

I’m all about great value for money so with a new Aldi opening up near me, I’ve been stocking up to see if you can taste the difference on your favourite brands...

Jammie Dodgers

Aldi’s Jammy Wheels proved an instant hit. The only difference I spotted is that Dodgers have hear ts in the middle and Wheels have circles.

The same size biscuits, same number in the packet, and both taste the same to me. My husband’s a lifetime Dodgers fan – we’re talking a pack a week! – and his verdict was that Wheels taste a bit more “wheaty”.

As for the jammy bit, both have “raspberry flavoured apple jam” according to the ingredients and I can’t choose between them so I’ll be buying Wheels and saving some cash!

● Dodgers 70p (140g)/ Wheels 42p (140g)

Ritz Biscuits

I put Ritz to the test against Aldi’s Savoury Crackers. Aldi boasts its biscuits are baked in sunflower oil and lightly salted, and at first glance you’ll easily mistake the box for Ritz.

In the ultimate taste test, I munched through them on their own and then topped with a chunk of cheddar. Straight from the box they really do look the same and taste the same. I couldn’t tell the difference!

● Ritz £1.20 (200g)/ 85p Aldi (200g)

Baked Beans

Beans on toast is one of my favourite comfor t foods, and it’s got to be Heinz for me, so how does the budget rival compete? Both promise beans in a “rich tomato sauce”, look the same in the pan and on the plate. It was a tough test but while I’d happily buy Aldi’s beans again, they’re just missing the richness and kick of Heinz. Aldi’s version has the most sugar at 13g

(per 200g) compared with Heinz 8.7g of sugar (200g).

● Heinz 55p (150g) v Aldi’s Baked Beans in Rich Tomato Sauce

30p (420g)