Are store brands as good as national brands?

DEAR HARRY: We are newlyweds, and we're still feeling our way with spending plans. A neighbor introduced us to store brands of various products. We never knew that there were such things. However, we have a number of questions. Are they as good as the major brands? Are they always lower in price? Are there substitutes for all national-brand items? Are they safe?

WHAT HARRY SAYS: There has been a steady advance of store brands in recent years. Experts at Consumer Reports, which has been testing this market for some time, have been favorably impressed. In some cases, the products are even made in the same plants as the nationals. Tests have shown them to rank right up there with comparable national brands in terms of taste, wholesomeness, safety and quality. Almost always, they are lower in price. We have used store brands for a long time. We started with breakfast cereal and expanded to paper goods, soda and more, with much satisfaction. The stores will back their own brands to the same extent as the national brands. I believe that we have never had to make a return. Go for it, and save a bundle in the course of a year.