Walmart (NYSE:WMT) is joining the ranks of food producers eliminating artificial colors and preservatives from its prepared foods with a pledge to remove synthetic dyes, artificial sweeteners, fat substitutes, and certain preservatives from its private label food brands.
The change will impact Walmart’s (NYSE:WMT) Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and Bettergoods brands, constituting the largest private brand reformulations in retail history. The changes will also affect Walmart’s (NYSE:WMT) bakery items, including Marketside cakes.
“The change is in line with evolving customer preferences and in support of a more transparent food system,” the company said in a statement.
According to a survey conducted by Walmart, 62% of customers polled said they want more transparency regarding food ingredients, while 54% review food ingredients.
The company expects the changes to roll out over the next few months and be completed by January 2027.
Among the 11 dyes and ingredients to be removed are FD&C Blue 1, Blue 2, Red 3, Red 4, Red 40 as well as FD&C Citrus Red, and Canthaxanthin.
Among the 30 ingredients to be removed are sucrose polyester, lye, synthetic trans fatty acid, bromated flour, phthalates, and talc.
The measure comes as food processors address consumers’ desire for a healthier diet, and government regulations to eliminate certain preservatives and dyes from the nation’s food supply as part of the Trump Administration’s pledge to “Make America Healthy Again.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has called synthetic food dyes and preservatives “poison” that has fueled the nation’s chronic disease epidemic. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (under the HHS) is working with the food industry to eliminate three petroleum-based food dyes, including Red No 40, Yellow No 5, and Blue No. 1 by 2026 and has already revoked authorizations for the future use of Citrus Red No 2 and Orange B.
Additionally, Kennedy has endorsed the elimination of the “Generally Recognized as Safe” loophole, which allows food processors to add new chemicals without formal FDA review.