Walmart plans to remove synthetic dyes and 30 other food additives from its store brands

Walmart made a significant announcement on Wednesday, revealing plans to eliminate synthetic dyes and 30 other ingredients from its private-label food brands by 2027. This move will impact approximately 1,000 products, including salty snacks, baked goods, power drinks, salad dressings, and frosting. Customers can expect to see some of these reformulated products on shelves in the near future, with the changes primarily affecting Great Value, Walmart’s largest private-label food brand.

With over 250 million customers globally each week, Walmart emphasized that the decision to remove these ingredients is a response to changing consumer preferences. John Furner, Walmart U.S. CEO, stated, “Our customers have told us that they want products made with simpler, more familiar ingredients — and we’ve listened.” This initiative aligns with Walmart’s goal of increasing transparency around the ingredients used in its private food brands, which include Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and Bettergoods.

Notable ingredients that Walmart plans to remove include potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite, and potassium bisulfite, commonly found in processed meats, as well as phthalates, a chemical used in making plastic flexible. It’s worth mentioning that some of the ingredients on Walmart’s removal list are already banned, not widely used, or have not been part of the U.S. food supply for decades. Despite this, Walmart is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety and quality of the food products it offers to customers.

The company has already made progress in this area, with 90% of its private brand products currently free from synthetic dyes. Walmart’s decision to eliminate these ingredients follows a broader industry trend, with companies like Kraft Heinz and General Mills also phasing out dyes from their products.

In light of increased scrutiny on artificial food dyes, the federal government has urged the food industry to stop using synthetic dyes. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans to work with the Food and Drug Administration to eliminate six remaining synthetic food dyes. Walmart’s commitment to removing synthetic dyes and other harmful ingredients reflects its dedication to catering to health-conscious consumers.

This announcement builds on Walmart’s previous efforts to promote healthier food choices, such as labeling products with a “Great For You” icon to indicate they meet certain nutritional standards. By prioritizing transparency and consumer well-being, Walmart continues to lead the way in offering safe and wholesome food options to its millions of customers worldwide.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

By: Mary Cunningham, CBS MoneyWatch reporter.