CNN – Walmart will remove artificial dyes and 30 other additives — such as artificial sweeteners, fat substitutes and various preservatives — from its US private-brand food and beverage products, the company announced Wednesday.
The decision marks the latest corporate move in response to evolving consumer tastes and the yearslong crackdown on food additives that began with state lawmakers, particularly those in California.
The momentum has picked up steam this year amid Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement.
The change in Walmart brands, including Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed and bettergoods, will be in full effect by 2027.
The 11 dyes being removed are:
- blue dyes No. 1 and No. 2;
- green dye No. 3;
- red dyes No. 3, No. 4 and No. 40;
- yellow dyes No. 5 and No. 6;
- citrus red dye;
- orange B dye;
- and canthaxanthin, an orange-red pigment naturally found in some bacteria, algae, fungi, crustaceans, and tissues and egg yolk from wild birds.
Except for canthaxanthin and orange B dye, the other colorants are made from petroleum. All of these dyes are commonly used to make food and beverage products brightly colored and more appealing to consumers.
The push to rid the food system of artificial dyes stems from concerns about negative impacts on animal and human health, including a potentially increased risk of cancer and neurobehavioral issues.
California banned red dye No. 3 statewide in October 2023, followed by a ban of six other common dyes in school foods in September.
The US Food and Drug Administration banned red dye No. 3 in January, effective for food on January 15, 2027, and for drugs on January 18, 2028 — but the agency has since asked food companies to eliminate the dye sooner.
In March, West Virginia passed the most sweeping law thus far, prohibiting seven dyes and two preservatives …
