To advance its vision of health and wellness, Raley’s Family of Fine Stores will eliminate all flavors of Raley’s private label brand soda containing high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors, including diet soda varieties.
“This is a bold first step towards improving our private label options for our customers,” said Kevin Curry, SVP of merchandising and supply chain for West Sacramento, California-based Raley’s. “Where we have control over our product lines, we want to offer products that reflect our ongoing vision to infuse life with health and happiness. Essentially, we want to make it easier for our customers to make healthier choices.”
A number of studies conducted over the past few decades suggest that consumption of high-fructose corn syrup is connected with health concerns, including a significant risk of weight gain and obesity, an increased risk of developing Type-2 diabetes, hypertension and elevated “bad” cholesterol levels and liver damage.
Raley’s has discontinued production of private label soda with high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors and will phase-out remaining inventory over the next two-weeks. All Raley’s private label soda with high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors and flavors will be out of stock by Aug. 1.
In another first step in providing healthier options to customers, Raley’s eliminated tobacco in 2015.
Raley’s is a privately owned, family operated supermarket chain that operates 121 stores in Northern California and Nevada under four banners: Raley’s Supermarkets, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods and Food Source.