Walmart to Eliminate Synthetic Dyes and Additives by 2027

NEW YORK — Walmart announced plans on Wednesday to remove synthetic food dyes and 30 other ingredients from its store brands in the United States by January 2027. This initiative, which affects approximately 1,000 products, reflects growing consumer demand for cleaner food options and increased scrutiny from the U.S. government regarding food additives.

The changes will impact a variety of products, including salty snacks, baked goods, power drinks, salad dressings, and frosting. Walmart's reformulation plan will primarily focus on its largest private-label brand, Great Value, as well as its Marketside and Freshness Guaranteed lines. The company also plans to make adjustments to its premium label, Bettergoods.

Several ingredients on Walmart's removal list are already banned or have not been widely used in the U.S. food supply for years. Some additives, such as potassium nitrate and potassium nitrite, are used as preservatives in processed meats, while others, like phthalates, are chemicals used in plastics that can migrate into food. Health advocates have raised concerns about the potential health effects of these substances for years.

Brian Ronholm, director of food policy for Consumer Reports, described Walmart's announcement as a significant response to consumer demand for fewer additives. "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," he stated.

Walmart's list includes both synthetic dyes and other food additives that have raised health concerns. For instance, the retailer plans to eliminate artificial sweeteners like advantame and neotame, as well as preservatives such as potassium bisulfite. Some of the artificial food dyes listed, including Red No. 4 and Red No. 3, are already banned or have not been used in the U.S. for years.

Scott Morris, Walmart's senior vice president of private brands food, noted that 90% of the company's private label foods currently do not contain synthetic dyes. He emphasized that the initiative marks an acceleration of a process Walmart began in recent years, driven by customer requests for cleaner ingredients. However, he acknowledged that replacing these ingredients with natural alternatives can be complex, as the performance of substitutes can vary based on product stability and storage requirements.

In June, Walmart's wholesale division, Sam's Club, announced it would remove over 40 ingredients, including artificial colors and aspartame, from its Member's Mark products by the end of the year. Customers can expect to see reformulated items in the coming months, such as Great Value cheese dips made with paprika and annatto instead of Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6. Additionally, a new version of Great Value Fruit Spins Cereal will use natural colorings from beta carotene and juice concentrates instead of synthetic dyes.

The federal government has also increased scrutiny of artificial food dyes. Recently, the FDA banned the dye Red 3 from the food supply, nearly 35 years after it was prohibited in cosmetics due to potential cancer risks. As Walmart moves forward with its reformulation plan, the company aims to ensure that viable and scalable alternatives are available to maintain product quality and affordability.