Consumer staples are products consumers can’t go without.They include food, beverages, tobacco and household items. Companies whose primary lines contain these products comprise the investing market’s consumer staples sector. Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark and Phillip Morris are good examples of consumer staple companies. Consumer staple stocks are noncyclical, meaning they’re in demand no matter what’s happening with the economy. They usually outperform the market when economic growth slows. Investors seeking slow and steady growth should consider consumer staple stocks. They offer an opportunity to diversify into a stable and easily understood sector. Investors can also buy mutual funds or exchange-traded funds that specialize in consumer staples.