A Walmart Pledge

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Monday, 31 January 2011 22:53

Walmart, (or Wal-Mart, if you refuse to accept the new branding) reported a few weeks ago that it is making moves to introduce products with ingredients that will prove to be healthier for the consumer. In addition, the retail giant will encourage its suppliers to do the same, partially in support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign. Specifically, the company indicated its intention to cut sugar, saturated fat, and sodium in thousands of products in its private label Great Value products. It also will eliminate trans fat, and will slash the prices of fruits and vegetables, making it easier for those with more modest incomes to afford foods that are good for them — part of the First Lady’s taking aim at childhood obesity with her Let’s Move! campaign. Walmart President and CEO Bill Simon said that “No family should have to choose between food that is healthier for them and food they can afford. With more than 140 million customer visits each week, Walmart is uniquely positioned to make a difference by making food healthier and more affordable to everyone.” Walmart said these moves could save its customers close to $1 billion a year, and added that it would “drastically reduce or eliminate” prices of ‘better for you’ versions of products, such as those that have reduced fat, sugar or sodium. Executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Michael Jacobson welcomed the move. He said in a statement: “This announcement will virtually eliminate artificial trans fat in packaged foods and help spur food manufacturers to cut the sodium in their products over the next several years. Those two moves by Walmart ultimately should save thousands of lives each year that might otherwise be lost to heart disease or stroke.” In addition, the retail giant said it intends to build grocery stores in “underserved communities”, increase its charitable support of nutrition education programs, and develop a front-of-pack seal to “help consumers instantly identify truly healthier food options such as whole grain cereal, whole wheat pasta or unsweetened canned fruit.” SOURCE: Food Navigator < Prev   Next >