Why You Shouldn't Swear Off An Aldi Product If You Don't Like It Right Away

Aldi keeps prices manageable at its grocery stores by focusing on private-label products, which make up over 90% of the goods in the store. And while Aldi claims to only source the best products for its private labels, not all can be winners. Fortunately, the chain is wholly invested in customer satisfaction, which means it isn't afraid to redesign products that leave shoppers a little dissatisfied.

While Aldi isn't usually forthcoming about what goes into its products or who manufactures them, some consumers speculate that certain items have been upgraded over the years. The store's Cheese Club Macaroni and Cheese Dinner is just one example, as many customers found the product to be pretty bland in the flavor department. A short time later, the same product seemed to be a lot more flavorful, most likely due to the increase in salt. And while rivaling national brands in terms of quality is a significant aspect of Aldi's success, the store also invests in offering consumers healthy options. That's why Aldi has made some big changes in recent years, highlighting how serious it is about providing the best possible goods to customers.

An Aldi press release announced the discount grocery store made a major overhaul of its private label products in 2015. Among its private line, Aldi ceased using partially hydrogenated oils, also known as trans fats. The chain also excised synthetic coloring agents and excess monosodium glutamate. According to Aldi CEO Jason Hart, "Our decision to remove these ingredients from all of our exclusive brand foods delivers on our ongoing commitment to meet the evolving preferences of our customers."

Additionally, the chain pivoted to providing more organic items for produce selection. The requirements for organic produce are relatively rigid, as fruit and vegetables must be grown without the assistance of pesticides or fertilizers that contain potentially harmful chemicals. These changes show that Aldi is in tune with the wants and needs of modern consumers when it comes to product ingredients.

If you sample a tweaked product and find that it's still not to your liking, you'll be happy to learn about Aldi's crowd-pleasing return policy. The chain's Twice as Nice Guarantee allows shoppers to return items for a full refund. Additionally, Aldi will provide you with a similar item for no charge. Some limitations do apply, however. This policy is only good for private Aldi brands, and you may not be able to return alcohol depending on the laws where you live.

To return an item, simply take the remaining portion in its original packaging back to the Aldi location where you purchased it. If possible, provide the receipt, as that's the only way to receive cash or have your debit or credit card refunded. If you no longer have the receipt, Aldi will provide a gift card, which you can use on other items in the store. Aldi also encourages shoppers to contact the chain with any product complaints, which may be the first step to getting an item redesigned.