Walmart to Reduce Sugar and Sodium, Cut Trans Fats by 2015

The grocery retailer Walmart (Bentonville, AK) is making plans to trim sodium, sugar, and completely cut trans fats from its products, the company announced last week.

By 2015, Walmart plans to reduce sodium by 25%, added sugars by 10%, and remove all industrially produced trans fats from thousands of packaged products. 

The sodium cuts will affect various items, including grain products, luncheon meats, salad dressings, and frozen entrees. Reduced sodium will take effect in dairy items, sauces, and fruit drinks. Lastly, industrial trans fats are reportedly being removed from “all packaged food products.”

“I applaud Walmart for moving the food industry in a healthier direction,” said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI; Washington, DC). “Walmart’s action should virtually eliminate artificial trans fat and significantly reduce salt in packaged foods and, most importantly, prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks and strokes each year.”

During its announcement of the formulation changes, the company also stated that it is developing a new front-of-package seal to help customers spot products with key nutrient qualities, such as whole grains and minerals.