Walmart Removing Synthetic Dyes and Other Ingredients By 2027

Walmart U.S. on Oct. 1 announced it is removing 11 synthetic dyes and 30 other ingredients, including certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes, from its private brand food products by January 2027. (The lists are at the bottom of this article.)

“The change, which includes all Walmart U.S. food private brands such as Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed and bettergoods, is in line with evolving customer preferences and in support of a more transparent food system,” the company statement said.

The move closely parallels a Sam’s Club initiative, quietly launched in 2020 but not widely publicized by the retailer till this June, which listed 39 ingredients it was phasing out of its products. One big difference: High-fructose corn syrup was included in the Sam’s Club list but is not on the Walmart one.

The retailer is working with private brand suppliers to adjust formulations and source alternative ingredients, while preserving the same taste customers have come to expect. Walmart customers will begin to see the reformulated products rolling out over the coming months, with longer lead time changes planned to wrap up by January 2027 at the latest.

“Our customers have told us that they want products made with simpler, more familiar ingredients — and we’ve listened,” said John Furner, president/CEO of Walmart U.S. “By eliminating synthetic dyes and other ingredients, we’re reinforcing our promise to deliver affordable food that families can feel good about.”

The move largely falls in line with a Health & Human Services Dept. request back in March for food processors to remove seven synthetic colors by the end of 2026.

The announcement noted about 90% of Walmart U.S. food private brand products already are free from synthetic dyes.

Walmart U.S. is eliminating these 11 synthetic dyes from all private brand food products: FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Blue 2, FD&C Green 3, FD&C Red 3, FD&C Red 4,FD&C Red 40, FD&C Yellow 5, FD&C Yellow 6, FD&C Citrus Red, FD&C Orange B, Canthaxanthin

In addition to dyes, these 30 ingredients are also being removed from Walmart U.S. private brand foods: Titanium Dioxide, Azodicarbonamide, Dicotyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate (DSS), Sucrose Polyester, Toluene, Anisole, Lye, Morpholine, Propylene oxide, Sodium Stearyl Fumarate, Stearyl tartrate, Ficin, Synthetic trans fatty acid, Butylparaben, Lactylated Esters of Mon & Diglycerides (OLEON), Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Calcium Bromate, Potassium Bromate, Bromated flour, Neotame, Advantame, Phthalates, Potassium Bisulfite, Potassium Nitrate, Potassium Nitrite, Simplesse, Sodium Ferrocyanide (aka Yellow Prussiate of Soda), Sucroglycerides, Talc.