DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews)
– Sam’s Club is taking a major step toward cleaner grocery options by eliminating artificial ingredients from the majority of its private-label products.
The Walmart-owned warehouse chain announced June 5 that 96% of its Member’s Mark food and beverage products are now free of nearly 40 ingredients on its “Made Without” list. The list includes artificial colors, high-fructose corn syrup, aspartame, and other additives identified through member feedback, nutritional guidance, and industry trends.
The company says it plans to meet these standards across all Member’s Mark food and beverage products by the end of 2025.
“This reformulation effort has been years in the making,” said Nick Scheidler, vice president of product and packaging at Sam’s Club, in an interview with Food & Wine. “We began working with supplier partners back in 2022, identifying ingredient alternatives that met our new standards without compromising taste, quality, or shelf life.”
Members may have already noticed some changes on shelves. Items such as Member’s Mark Star Cutout Cookies and Organic Fruit Twists have launched without artificial colors. Fresh sushi, already available in over 580 stores and expanding by September, is also free of ingredients on the “Made Without” list.
The shift was driven in part by member surveys. According to the company, 72% of surveyed shoppers actively seek minimally processed foods, while 90% say they either live or aspire to live a healthier lifestyle.
“As we continue to evolve the Member’s Mark brand, we intend to develop items that reflect what our members want—and don’t want—in their products,” said Prathibha Rajashekhar, senior vice president of private brands and sourcing, in an earlier press release.
The company also plans to expand its clean-label initiative into other product categories, including household goods, baby products, and health items.
