A data set of household PFPs from Nielsen Homescan was linked to data from the Nutrition Facts Panel (N=164,315), analyzed in 2014. Fixed effects models and inverse probability weights accounting for selectivity of shopping at a retailer were used to examine shifts in nutrient densities and key food groups purchased at Walmart and other FRCs from 2000 to 2013, and whether these changes differed for low-income or racial/ethnic-minority households.
There were substantial declines in energy (–73 kcal/100 g); total sugar (–8 g/100 g); and sodium density (–33 mg/100 g) of Walmart PFPs, coupled with decreases in percentage volume purchased from sweets (–11%); grain-based desserts (–2%); and savory snacks (–3%) and increases in fruits (+3%) and vegetables (+1%). PFPs from other FRCs had a more favorable nutritional profile than Walmart PFPs in 2000, but demonstrated smaller shifts over time. Disparities in the nutritional profile of Walmart PFPs by race/ethnicity but not by income level shrank over time.
The nutritional profile of Walmart purchases has improved over time and in 2013 was similar to PFPs from other FRCs.