Sam’s Club’s 39 ‘Made Without’ Ingredients, and How It’s Achieving Them
Sam’s Club, the members-only retail arm of Walmart Inc., this month reminded the world of its “Made Without” ingredient goals and in an update reported 96% of its Member’s Mark (store brand) food and beverage products now meet those goals, with the rest planned to hit the mark by the end of this year.
Without a lot of fanfare, the ingredient “no-no” list was created in 2022, updated a few times since and communicated to key Sam’s Club suppliers/contract manufacturers, especially those producing Member’s Mark food and beverage products. The original goal was to have the questionable ingredients removed “by 2025.”
The list contains 38 ingredients, including artificial colors and high-fructose corn syrup, “and is grounded in member insights and evolving dietary preferences,” according to the retailer. The list:
- Acesulfame-Potassium (ace-K)
- Acetylated Ester of Mono & Diglycerides (ACETEM)
- Artificial Flavors (We aspire to achieve this goal by 2025)
- Aspartame
- Azodicarbonamide, ADA
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA)
- Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Butylparaben
- Certified Synthetic Colors/FD&C Colors (We aspire to achieve this goal by 2025)
- Cocamide DEA
- Cyclamates
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Cyclotetrasiloxane
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate (DSS)
- DMDM Hydantoin
- Ethyl Vanillin
- Formaldehyde
- Hexa, Hepta, Octa Esters of Sucrose
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Lactylated Esters of Mono & Diglycerides (OLEON)
- Methylparaben
- Neotame
- Phthalates
- Potassium Bisulfate
- Potassium Bisulfite
- Potassium Nitrate/Nitrite
- Propyl Gallate
- Propylparaben
- Saccharin
- Simplesse
- Sodium Ferrocyanide
- Sodium Propionate
- Sucroglycerides
- Sucrose Polyester
- Talc
- Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ; except for our 35-lb. foodservice frying oils)
- Toluene
“Driven by member insights and a focus on transparency in food labeling, Sam’s Club will eliminate over 40 [sic] ingredients from all Member’s Mark food and beverage products by year’s end,” said the June 5 update. It noted “96% of Member’s Mark food and beverage products now meet ‘Made Without’ goals, with full achievement by the end of 2025.
“The transformation is directly shaped by insights from Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark Community, with 72% of members surveyed actively seeking minimally processed foods and 90% stating they either live or aspire to live a healthier lifestyle. These preferences have guided the brand’s formulation, sourcing and packaging standards — ensuring Member’s Mark products evolve in step with modern consumer values.”
“We take pride in the high-quality ingredients that go into our products, but what truly differentiates us are the ingredients we consciously leave out,” said Julie Barber, chief merchant at Sam’s Club. “Our ‘Made Without’ commitment underscores our aspiration to be members’ go-to destination for quality at a disruptive value. For us, it’s about listening to our members and providing the items that resonate with their lifestyles.”
Back to the broader statement: “What began as a purpose-led initiative is now generating real business momentum. The Member’s Mark brand has become a key differentiator, particularly for Millennial and Gen Z shoppers who seek fewer ingredients, convenience and elevated experiences. In response, the brand has successfully introduced unique, first-to-market products made without artificial colors, such as its seasonally themed Member’s Mark Star Cutout Cookies and Member’s Mark Organic Fruit Twists.”
Parent Walmart has other aspirations for its store-brand products
- “In 2020, Walmart committed to becoming a regenerative company”… in both our Member’s Mark products and packaging.
- “We aim to source 100% of our Member’s Mark coffee, tea, and cocoa as Fair Trade USA Certified or Rainforest Alliance certified by 2025.
- “Our goal is for 100% of Member’s Mark animal proteins be sourced to meet our Animal Welfare and Antibiotic Use guidelines by 2025.
- “We aim to source 100% of all Member’s Mark shell egg products in Sam’s Club U.S. to be from cage-free laying hens.
