Walmart announced on Wednesday that the massive retail chain is planning to remove synthetic dyes and over 30 other ingredients from its private-label food products by January of 2027.
In a Wednesday press release, Walmart confirmed that it is “moving to eliminate synthetic dyes and the use of an additional 30 ingredients, including certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes from its private brand food products.” The company explained that its decision to remove synthetic dyes and other ingredients is a “significant step forward” in its mission to “provide customers with affordable, high-quality private brand products.”
According to the press release, Walmart’s ingredient changes will be for its private brands, including Great Value, bettergoods, Marketside, and Freshness Guaranteed. The company emphasized that customers will still be able to enjoy the “same great taste and value” of Walmart food products while also being provided with “high quality options they can feel good about feeding their families.”
“Our customers have told us that they want products made with simpler, more familiar ingredients — and we’ve listened,” Walmart U.S. President John Furner said. “By eliminating synthetic dyes and other ingredients, we’re reinforcing our promise to deliver affordable food that families can feel good about.”
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Wednesday’s press release explained that customers will start to see changes to the ingredients in the company’s private-label products in the coming months, with full changes expected to be completed by January of 2027. The press release also noted that nearly 90% of Walmart U.S. private-label products are currently made without synthetic dyes.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced earlier this year that the Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to phase out the use of petroleum-based food dyes from food in the United States as part of the Make America Health Again initiative under President Donald Trump’s administration. NBC News reported that multiple companies, including General Mills, PepsiCo, and Kraft Heinz, have already announced that they are planning to remove synthetic dyes from food products.
In a statement obtained by NBC News, Scott Morris, senior vice president of Walmart’s private food brands, addressed Walmart’s upcoming changes, saying, “This is a direct response to what the customer is telling us. They’re looking for simpler ingredients, simpler nutrition panels.”
