Introduction to Walmart’s Plans
Walmart said Wednesday that it plans to remove synthetic food dyes and 30 other ingredients, including some preservatives, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes, from its store brands sold in the United States by January 2027.
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The Move Towards Natural Ingredients
The move announced by the nation’s largest retailer amounts to an acknowledgment that American consumers and the U.S. government under President Donald Trump are paying attention to what goes into packaged foods. Walmart said its goal would affect about 1,000 products, including salty snacks, baked goods, power drinks, salad dressings and frosting.
Impact on Store Brands
Several of the ingredients on Walmart’s removal list, however, already are banned, not widely used or have not been used in the U.S. food supply for decades. Others were included despite no known problems or have been targeted by the Trump administration for review and possible elimination as an approved food additive, according to food safety experts.
Reaction from Experts
Still, the action represents a “sweeping declaration and a considerable response to consumer demand and sentiment” for fewer additives in food, said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy for the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports.
“This is a good and well-thought-out list and represents a very positive step, especially considering the reach their private label brands have in U.S. households,” Ronholm said in a statement.
Affected Products
Walmart said the 14-month reformulation plan primarily would involve its largest private-label food brand, Great Value. Customers also can expect changes in Walmart’s Marketside and Freshness Guaranteed lines of prepared foods, and to some extent in its premium label Bettergoods products, the company said.
Comparison to Other Companies
In recent months, major food companies such as Kraft Heinz, Nestle and Conagra Brands have pledged to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes in coming years. Walmart took its news a step further by identifying other kinds of food additives in its phase-out timeline.
Types of Additives to be Removed
The chemicals and compounds the discount retailer intends to eliminate encompasses the breadth of food manufacturing. For example, Walmart’s list includes potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite and potassium bisulfite, which are used as preservatives in processed meats, as well as the artificial sweeteners advantame and neotame.
Health Concerns
Many of the items on Walmart’s list have raised concerns about potential health effects “for a long time,” said Thomas Galligan, a scientist who focuses on food additives for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an advocacy group. Those include synthetic dyes, titanium dioxide, azodicarbonamide, propylparaben, potassium bromate and phthalates, a chemical used to make plastic flexible.
Government Scrutiny
Health advocates have argued that phthalates in plastic wrap, plastic packaging and plastic bottles can end up in food and beverages. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has limited but not ended their use in items that come into contact with food.
Conclusion
Overall, though, the initiative struck Galligan as a good commitment.
“However, as with any voluntary effort, it is very easy for Walmart to make bold promises, but it is a lot harder for them to follow through,” he said. “Many companies, including Walmart, have previously made and then broke promises similar to this, so until we see reformulated products on store shelves, this is all just talk.”
FAQs
Q: What is Walmart planning to remove from its store brands?
A: Walmart plans to remove synthetic food dyes and 30 other ingredients, including some preservatives, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes, from its store brands sold in the United States by January 2027.
Q: How many products will be affected?
A: About 1,000 products will be affected, including salty snacks, baked goods, power drinks, salad dressings and frosting.
Q: What types of additives will be removed?
A: The chemicals and compounds to be eliminated include potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite and potassium bisulfite, as well as the artificial sweeteners advantame and neotame.
Q: Why is Walmart making this change?
A: The move is in response to consumer demand and sentiment for fewer additives in food, as well as increased scrutiny from the U.S. government.
