Walmart to Remove Dyes, 30+ Additives by 2027

Walmart said it will remove synthetic food dyes and more than 30 other additives — including certain preservatives, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes — from its U.S. private‑label brands (Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed and bettergoods), a reformulation affecting about 1,000 items that will be completed by January 2027. The company says roughly 90% of its private‑label foods are already dye‑free and that reformulations will roll out gradually while it works to keep prices steady. Walmart framed the move as a response to rising consumer demand for simpler ingredient lists and as aligning with public‑health campaigns and increased regulatory scrutiny, and observers expect the retailer’s scale could prompt suppliers and competitors to follow. Food‑safety experts note some additives on the removal list are already banned or rarely used in the U.S., and research linking ultra‑processed foods to health harms helps explain the industry shift away from petroleum‑based dyes.