Walmart announced Wednesday that it will remove synthetic food dyes and more than 30 other controversial ingredients from its U.S. private-label food products by January 2027.
The retailer says the change will affect nearly 1,000 products under its Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and Bettergoods brands. Items impacted include popular snacks, baked goods, salad dressings, drinks, and cereals.
Walmart’s Biggest Food Reformulation to Date
Scott Morris, Walmart’s senior vice president of private brands food and manufacturing, called the decision the largest food reformulation in Walmart’s history. He noted that customers have been asking the company to eliminate synthetic dyes and preservatives for years.
“Every item’s a snowflake,” Morris told the Associated Press, explaining that replacing dyes and preservatives with natural alternatives is complex and requires extensive testing to maintain taste and quality.
What Ingredients Are Being Removed?
Walmart’s reformulation plan includes:
Synthetic food dyes such as Red No. 40, Yellow No. 6, and Blue No. 2
Preservatives like potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite, and potassium bisulfite (often found in processed meats)
Artificial sweeteners flagged by regulators for review
Phthalates, a chemical used in some plastics that can transfer into food and beverages
By early 2027, Walmart shoppers will see reformulated products on shelves. For example, Great Value cheese dips will use paprika and annatto instead of Yellow No. 5 and No. 6, while Fruit Spins Cereal will be colored with beta carotene, spirulina, and juice concentrates instead of synthetic dyes.
Industry and Regulatory Pressure
Walmart’s announcement comes as federal regulators under President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. step up scrutiny of artificial dyes. Earlier this year, the FDA banned Red 3 due to potential cancer risks.
Food giants including Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, and Conagra have also pledged to eliminate petroleum-based dyes in the coming years. Walmart’s step goes further by phasing out preservatives and additives, not just dyes.
Why This Matters for Shoppers
With health concerns about synthetic additives on the rise, Walmart’s reformulation will likely influence competitors and reshape consumer expectations for affordable, cleaner-label food.
Customers can expect to see reformulated Great Value and other private-label products arriving on shelves gradually in the coming months.
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