Walmart announced on Wednesday that it will phase out synthetic dyes from all of its private-label food products by January 2027.
The decision applies to Walmart’s store brands, including Great Value, Marketside and Bettergoods.
Great Value alone is stocked in 90 percent of American households, per data from NielsenIQ, making it one of the most widely purchased food brands in the United States.
The move will require Walmart to reformulate more than 1,000 food products.
Despite the large undertaking, Walmart stated that the majority of its private-label foods already do not contain synthetic dyes.
Scott Morris, senior vice president of Walmart’s private food brands, said the decision reflects ongoing customer input.
“They’re looking for simpler ingredients, simpler nutrition panels,” Morris said in an interview cited by NBC News.
Walmart also plans to cut about 30 other additives from its private-label products.
These include certain preservatives, fat substitutes and artificial sweeteners.
Some of the targeted additives are already banned in states such as California.
Examples include potassium bromate and propylparaben, which state law prohibits in food products sold there.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has encouraged food companies to phase out artificial dyes by 2027.
The agency has not mandated such changes, instead relying on voluntary commitments from major food manufacturers.
Walmart’s announcement follows similar steps taken by other large food companies.
PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz and General Mills have all made pledges to reduce or eliminate synthetic dyes and additives from their products in recent years, per The Post Millenial (TPM).
At the company’s Culinary Innovation Center in Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart food developers showcased some of the reformulated products.
These examples provided a preview of what customers can expect as the changes take effect.
Cupcake frosting created with natural ingredients such as spirulina and beets looked almost identical to products that used synthetic colors.
Developers said these cases demonstrate how natural ingredients can replace artificial dyes without significantly changing product appearance.
Other products revealed more noticeable differences.
Great Value Fruit Spins, a colorful breakfast cereal, appeared more muted in color after reformulation, especially in the blue, green and purple shades that are harder to reproduce with natural sources.
TPM further noted that sports drinks showed perhaps the most visible change.
Drinks that once featured neon hues now appear cloudy white when created with natural ingredients.
To help maintain brand familiarity, Walmart developers said bottles may be fitted with colored sleeves, preserving the look customers are used to seeing on shelves.
Andie Garcia, a Walmart product developer, explained the challenge of matching certain colors with natural alternatives.
“Color drives the decision,” Garcia said, noting that the bright blue sports drink in particular could not be replicated naturally.
Walmart has emphasized that while appearances may change, taste and quality will not.
“The customer is continuously telling us that it’s not necessary everywhere,” Morris said, referring to artificial coloring.
Scientific studies have examined potential health impacts of synthetic dyes.
Some research has suggested a possible link between synthetic food dyes and hyperactivity in children.
The FDA, however, maintains that these dyes are generally safe for consumption.
Renee Leber, a representative of the Institute of Food Technologists, said companies will need to work to gain consumer acceptance.
She noted that many customers strongly associate food color with quality and appeal, making visual adjustments a hurdle that businesses must overcome.
