• January 20, 2011

Walmart says it will make sweeping changes to its grocery offerings--reformulating thousands of packaged food items, reducing sodium 25%, lowering added sugars by 10 %, percent, and removing all industrially produced trans fats--by 2015. The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer made the announcement in Washington, with First Lady Michelle Obama, whose "Let's Move" campaign is fighting against overweight and obesity. In addition to changes in its private label brands, Walmart says it will make healthier choices more affordable, saving customers approximately $1 billion per year on fresh fruits and vegetables through a variety of initiatives, develop strong criteria for a front-of-package seal that will help consumers identify healthier food options, and build stores in "food deserts" in underserved communities. "No family should have to choose between food that is healthier for them and food they can afford," Bill Simon, president/ CEO, says in a release accompanying the announcement. "We are committed to working with suppliers, government and non-governmental organizations to provide solutions that help Americans eat healthier and live a better life."