Walmart to phase out synthetic dyes in its US private label food brands

By January 2027, Walmart will stop using artificial dyes in its American brands Great Value and Bettergoods, which are included in Walmart’s private-label products.

The decision by the big box retailer was made on Wednesday, the latest in a string of similar moves by a number of businesses as a result of President Donald Trump’s administration’s demand to remove dyes from food products.

In response to the administration’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, major packaged food companies like PepsiCo, Campbell’s, and Conagra Brands have made similar announcements in recent months.

Robert F. Kennedy, the head of national obesity, diabetes, cancer, mental health disorders, allergies, and neurodevelopmental disorders like autism have become a focus of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Additionally, Walmart intends to omit more than 30 additional ingredients from its private-label line, including preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and fat substitutes.

The company claimed that the move was in response to consumer demand for simpler, more concise ingredients and that 90 percent of its private-brand products are currently free of artificial colors.

Walmart US President John Furner said, “Our customers have voiced their desire for products made with simpler, more common ingredients. We have listened.”

However, many of the ingredients on Walmart’s removal list are already banned, not frequently used, or have not long been used in the US food supply. Food safety experts believe that others were included despite there being no known issues or having been subject to the Trump administration’s review and potential elimination as a food additive.

The retailer is modifying formulations and finding new ingredients in collaboration with private-brand manufacturers. In the upcoming months, Walmart announced the rollout of reformulated products, ranging from cereals and salads to canned and frozen foods.

The largest brand of Walmart’s private-label lineup, along with other store brands like Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and the premium Bettergoods, has been a big hit with Americans who are looking for bargains.

By the end of the year, its member company Sam’s Club announced in June that it would have eliminated artificial colors, aspartame, and other ingredients from its Member’s Mark brand.