Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a preservative
    • ex. Preservatives help keep food fresh for a longer time.
  2. an additive
    • ex. Some foods contain additives to improve their color or taste.
  3. synthetic
    • ex. This jacket is made of synthetic material instead of cotton.
  4. a dye
    • ex. The factory uses natural dyes to color the clothes.
  5. follow through
    • ex. It’s important to follow through on your plans if you want to succeed.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Walmart announced in October that it will remove artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives, and other additives from its U.S. store-brand foods by January 2027. This decision is going to affect around 1,000 products, including chips, cookies, salad dressings, and energy drinks. The move aims to meet customers’ growing demand for cleaner, simpler food.

Most of the changes will focus on Walmart’s main store brand, Great Value. Some items from other brands like Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and Bettergoods will also have some ingredients changed. Many of the ingredients being removed, like synthetic dyes, have been criticized by health experts for a long time now. Some are already banned in other countries or are under review by U.S. officials.

Reactions have been mixed. Experts say Walmart’s decision is a strong step toward healthier food. However, some food scientists were surprised by certain items on the removal list, such as talc and morpholine, which are not widely considered dangerous. Consumer groups support the plan but say Walmart must follow through on its promise, calling for real changes on store shelves rather than just big announcements.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Healthy Eating and Food Safety

  • Do you think removing artificial colors and preservatives is important for health? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • How might removing artificial colors and preservatives affect customers’ shopping habits at Walmart? Discuss.
  • What does “eating healthy” mean to you personally? Discuss.

Company’s Promises

  • Do you think it is important for companies to follow through on their promises? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • How can Walmart prove to customers that it is truly making its food healthier and not just improving its image? Discuss.
  • Imagine that you own a business. What would be your company’s promise to customers (ex. produce environmentally friendly products)? Discuss.