AP sources: Wal-Mart to make, sell healthier foods

[January 20, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Wal-Mart is expected to announce that it will reformulate thousands of products to make them healthier and push its suppliers to do the same.

Two people familiar with the announcement say first lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to join Wal-Mart executives at an event Thursday to begin the effort. The two people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly.

The company plans to reduce sodium and sugars in some items, build stores in poor areas that don't already have grocery stores, reduce prices on produce and develop a logo for healthier items.

Several food companies have made similar efforts, but Wal-Mart's reach is significant.

The first lady has urged companies to make foods healthier through her campaign to combat childhood obesity.

[Associated Press; By MARY CLARE JALONICK]

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