With knockoffs, it’s always one of three sources.

First is just a knock off. It’s a different manufacturer, maybe worse, maybe even better, but it’s an entirely unrelated source.

Second is factory seconds. Product that doesn’t pass brand QA for one reason or another, so they sell the lesser quality product to off-brand as a similar product.

Third is factory surplus. The brand only buys some of the product that the factory can make, so the factory keeps making more product and selling it to other brands. This is ideal for the consumer, because it is usually exactly the same product without the brand label.

You’re always hoping for the third, but usually it’s the first one. The real problem is, you’ll never know until you get the product. Generic brand names don’t have the same concern for brand loyalty, so the source or formula may change more frequently than a brand name product. The Millville syrup this week might be Pearl Milling surplus, or Pearl Milling seconds next weeks, and Parl Mowing sugar water next month.

Complicating matters is that Pearl Milling may not even own the production, and is probably sourcing their syrup from a conglomeration of farmers, importers, and intermediaries. But it’s still the same dance, just with more moving parts.

The only value a brand name has is the value the brand has for it’s own name. Once a brand decides to cash in on their name and stops caring about quality, the brand name has no more value.

It could be the very same product. It could also be made at the same factory but to aldis specifications.