Aldi is massively expanding its list of banned ingredients in private-label products sold in its stores, the company announced Wednesday.
The discount grocery chain already restricts 13 ingredients from its private-label lineup, which accounts for roughly 90% of the products sold in Aldi stores. By the end of 2027, that list will grow to 57 products, Aldi said.
“At the heart of our private-label products is a commitment to listening to our customers and continually improving the products they bring into their homes,” said Scott Patton, chief commercial officer, Aldi.
44 ingredients cut
Customer requests drove the decision to remove the additional 44 ingredients from food, vitamin and supplement products, according to the German grocery chain.
“Based directly on customer feedback, we are proud to take meaningful steps to make it even easier for families to fill their carts with confidence by delivering simpler ingredients while continuing to provide the quality and value they expect from Aldi,” Patton said.
Aldi said the move follows its decision to remove synthetic colors from Aldi food products more than a decade ago.
Those banned ingredients include: Brominated vegetable oil, FD&C Blue No. 1 – brilliant blue FCF, FD&C Blue No. 2 – indigotine, FD&C Green No. 3 – fast green FCF, FD&C Red No. 2 – amaranth, citrus red, FD&C Red No. 3 – erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 40 – allura red AC, FD&C Yellow No. 5 – tartrazine, FD&C Yellow No. 6 – sunset yellow FCF, monosodium glutamate, Orange B, partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) and synthetic trans fatty acid.
The new list includes: Acesulfame K, advantame, anisole, aluminum sodium sulfate/sodium aluminum sulfate, azodicarbonamide (ADA), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), bromated flour, calcium bromate, potassium bromate, butylparaben, ethylparaben, methylparaben, propylparaben, butylated hydroxyanisole, diacetyl, benzophenone, ethoxyquin, potassium nitrite, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, propyl gallate, propylparaben, saccharin, sodium saccharin, sucralose, titanium dioxide, talc, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, sodium propionate, calcium propionate, potassium propionate, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP).
On quality and price
The no-frills grocer said the update “ensures consistent standards across every category and provides our suppliers with clear expectations well ahead of the December 2027 deadline.”
Aldi said it evaluates products up to five times a year, and ensures that their rigorous process maintains the quality and taste of any product affected.
The company added that it would continue to work with suppliers to find efficiencies and keep prices low.
Whole Foods playbook
The move takes a page from Whole Foods’ playbook in addressing customer concern over controversial ingredients.
Whole Foods now bans more than 300 ingredients across its entire store, unlike Aldi, which includes Aldi private-label products only.
“We believe that the best ingredients belong on your plate. That’s why we’ve banned hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup, sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose and saccharin – along with more than 300 colors, preservatives, flavors and other ingredients from all of the food we sell in our stores,” Whole Foods notes on its website. “Seriously – from Berry Chantilly Cake in our bakery to the foods in our bulk bins, we want you to feel confident about what goes in your cart. If it doesn’t meet our standards, we won’t sell it.”
