Sam’s Club Hits Milestone in ‘Made Without’ Clean-Label Effort
Sam’s Club has reached a new milestone in its effort to offer products free from specific ingredients such as artificial colors and high-fructose corn syrup.
As part of its “Made Without” journey, the Walmart-owned warehouse club said 96% of its Member’s Mark food and beverage products now meet the goals outlined in the initiative. The retailer’s “Made Without” list includes more than 40 ingredients such as artificial colors, aspartame, and high-fructose corn syrup, which were identified based on a combination of member feedback, nutritional guidance, and industry trends.
According to Sam’s Club, the transformation is directly shaped by insights from the retailer’s Member’s Mark Community, with 72% of members surveyed actively seeking minimally processed foods and 90% stating they either live or aspire to live a healthier lifestyle. These preferences have guided the brand’s formulation, sourcing, and packaging standards.
“We take pride in the high-quality ingredients that go into our products, but what truly differentiates us are the ingredients we consciously leave out,” said Julie Barber, chief merchant at Sam’s Club. “Our ‘Made Without’ commitment underscores our aspiration to be members’ go-to destination for quality at a disruptive value. For us, it’s about listening to our members and providing the items that resonate with their lifestyles.”
Sam’s Club officials said the effort to eliminate certain ingredients from its private brand assortment is also becoming a differentiator, especially with millennial and Gen Z shoppers.
An example of the retailer’s “Made Without” initiative is seen with its fresh sushi assortment, now available in 581 clubs and launching under the Member’s Mark brand in all clubs by September. Made fresh daily, sustainably sourced, and free of ingredients on the “Made Without” list, the sushi embodies the brand’s promise and commitment to innovation in fresh food.
Made in-club by trained sushi chefs, the offering is exceeding expectations and outperforming other fresh food categories, especially among younger, health-conscious members. The Member’s Mark brand is launching regional-specific sushi rolls, such as the Spicy Tuna Mango Roll and Korean BBQ Chicken Spring Roll, which are available for same-day delivery and integrated into Sam’s Club’s growing e-commerce ecosystem.
Looking ahead, Sam’s Club is exploring opportunities to extend its “Made Without” initiative beyond food and beverage into categories such as household essentials, health, and baby.
