"Not the Same": Gent Reveals Woolworths and Other Reatilers Sharing the Same SA Manufacturers

• South African entrepreneur Hamzeh Majiet shared a video revealing that several major retailer products share the same manufacturers behind the scenes
• Woolworths Salted Butter and Parmalat's Salted Butter are reportedly produced by the same company, along with Pick n Pay and Woolworths yogurt
• South Africans pushed back hard, insisting that Woolworths products taste better and are held to stricter quality standards

A South African entrepreneur living in Australia has stirred up quite a debate online after revealing that some of the country's most recognisable supermarket products are made by the same manufacturers.

Hamzeh Majiet, who runs a marketing and retail launch business and has over 71,000 followers on Instagram, posted the video on 7 August 2026. In it, he breaks down several surprising product connections hiding in plain sight on South African grocery shelves.

Same factory, different label

According to Majiet, Woolworths Salted Butter and Parmalat's Salted Butter come from the same producer. He also pointed out that both Woolworths and Pick n Pay's Low Fat Strawberry Yogurt are manufactured by Fairfield Dairy, and that Spur's popular salad dressing is made by Ina Paarman, the same brand behind its Blue Cheese Salad Dressing.

Read also

UK man compares SA fish 'n chips to British version in bold visit

Majiet said he is putting together what he calls South Africa's first private label manufacturer list, a free, weekly-updated resource that maps out which factories produce for which retailers across the FMCG industry. He described it as useful for anyone launching a food brand, exploring private label opportunities, or simply trying to make smarter shopping choices.

Woolworths shoppers are not convinced

The video sparked immediate debate, with many South Africans refusing to accept that the products are equivalent just because they share a manufacturer.

Here is what people said in the comments on Instagram user @hamzeh.majiet's reel:

@ladiesmanpapi wrote:

"I only eat Woolworths"

@twinafrica2 said:

"Quality is not the same. Woolworths pays extra for better quality than what the original brand makes."

@gee_macozoma added:

"Woolies is a bit stricter on their specs even if done in the same company as another brand."

@allanthomasmaritz questioned:

"What is your point? All goods are procured by major factories to buyer's specifications… what are you implying… The factories making goods for different customer is illegal?"

Read also

Prince Kaybee mocks Khabonina's urine therapy advice with viral biology lesson

@58zay asked:

"So why does the yogurt from Woolworths taste better?"

The responses largely reflect a broader truth about how private label manufacturing works: the same factory can produce goods to different specifications depending on what each retailer demands.

Whether Woolworths shoppers are paying for better quality or simply a more trusted name remains, for now, a matter of personal taste.

Watch the video that started the debate here.

More on retail and groceries

• Briefly News recently reported on South Africans left stunned after steep biltong prices at major retailers sparked comparisons with cheaper local butchers.
• Pick n Pay took a cheeky swipe at Woolworths over its premium-priced giant avocado, kicking off a full-blown retail rivalry.
• Meanwhile, a South African woman shared her grocery haul tailored specifically for managing hypertension and insulin resistance.

Source: Briefly News