The Trump administration is vigorously promoting the “Let America be Healthy Again” movement, focusing on combating processed foods. Many major food companies are making efforts to reduce artificial additives in packaged foods.
US retail giant Walmart announced on Wednesday, October 1st, that it plans to remove artificial colors from all its own-brand food products, while also eliminating 30 other additives, including certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and fat substitutes. The commitment is to ensure that consumers can still enjoy delicious food and great value for money, while also being able to purchase high-quality food for their families’ peace of mind.
This initiative by Walmart USA covers all its own-brand food products, including brands such as Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and bettergoods. Walmart stated that this move aims to meet the evolving demands of consumers and promote the transparent development of the food industry.
A recent survey by Walmart revealed that an increasing number of Walmart consumers are concerned about food ingredients, with 62% of consumers wanting more transparency in food ingredients and 54% of consumers checking food ingredient labels.
With consumers’ growing interest in food ingredients, Walmart launched the bettergoods private brand last year, focusing on trendy flavors and natural ingredients. Bettergoods is a high-quality private brand developed by chefs, offering plant-based foods and a “no additives” range. Walmart stated that 70% of products in this range are priced below $5.
This adjustment is part of Walmart’s efforts to upgrade and transform its own-brand products based on changes in consumer preferences.
John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart USA, stated that consumers want to purchase food with simple and familiar ingredients. “By removing artificial colors and additives, we once again promise to provide families with affordable and reassuring food.”
In its press release, Walmart stated that while this adjustment is one of the largest reformations in the history of private brand product formulas in the retail industry, it’s not the first time Walmart has removed undesired ingredients from consumers’ products. Currently, about 90% of Walmart USA private brand food products do not contain artificial colors.
Walmart mentioned that the company is currently collaborating with private brand suppliers to adjust product formulations and find alternative ingredients, aiming to meet the growing demands of consumers while maintaining the excellent taste of their products.
Walmart customers can expect to see new formula products launch in the coming months, with products involving more complex adjustments expected to be fully updated by January 2027.
US Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed that highly processed foods and chemical additives have become the root cause of issues such as childhood obesity, diabetes, cancer, mental health disorders, allergies, and neurological development disorders like autism. Therefore, he has decided to take a firm stand against such foods and additives.