Aldi – The Chain is Rivaling Whole Foods, and Health Nuts are Loving It!

By Erin Elizabeth, Founder, Health Nut News

When Business Insider magazine says Whole Foods should be terrified of Aldi, it is time to pay attention. An announcement by the German supermarket chain was made on January 1st. Beginning ASAP and affecting all their US stores, the following pesticides will no longer be allowed on fruits or vegetables:

• Thiamethoxam
• Chlorpyrifos
• Clothianidin
• Cypermethrin
• Deltamethrin
• Fipronil
• Imidacloprid
• Sulfoxaflor

What a way to start the new year!

Aldi has now become the first major retailer in Europe to ban pesticides to be known as toxic to bees from all produce in their stores. Apparently, public pressure won out again, and Germany is ahead of the curve. To-date, toom Baumarkt DIY, a German hardware-type store will no longer allow “any product that contains this endocrine-disrupting chemical concoction, and as of today, no such products can be re-ordered from their stores,” reports Natural Society. Some of the largest garden retailers in the UK, including Homebase, B&Q, and Wickes, have also voluntarily stopped selling neonicotinoids. The bees will be so happy.

If you remember, we covered the EPA’s study on how dangerous neonicotinoids are to bees. These pesticides have been proven to cause bee reproduction, navigation, and foraging issues as well as suppression of their immune systems. It would be fantastic to see the American government ban them as well, but it has yet to happen. Requests, demands, marches, wisdom — and proof from the EPA — have all been ignored.

However, we can champion Aldi. Not only has Aldi banned the pesticides, but they are also doing much, much more for their customers:

• They are expanding their organic food brands, removing some artificial ingredients from products and adding more gluten-free items.
• They have removed certified synthetic colors, partially hydrogenated oils, and MSG from their private-label products (which make up 90% of sales).
• They have expanded their sales of fresh and organic meat and produce, including the “Never Any!” brand of meats that contain no added antibiotics, hormones, animal by-products or other additives.
• The chain will also expand the SimplyNature line (which is free of more than 125 artificial ingredients) and their gluten-free liveGfree brand.
• Their milk was free of artificial growth hormones, but now its yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, and other dairy products will be as well.
• Lastly, they have begun to offer more high-end foods like artisanal cheeses, smoked salmon, quinoa, and coconut oil.

They became one of the world’s largest food retailers by offering low prices, and with these new decisions, they are repositioning themselves. Their prices on fresh produce and packaged goods are already around 30% lower than Walmart’s, but this makes them a force to be reckoned with. They will be able to better compete with not only Whole Foods but also Kroger.

While they currently have about 1,500 stores in the U.S., there are plans to open about 500 more stores in the next two years. Personally, I hope that it will force more stores to make these changes as well, or lose out on profits and customers.

Yes, you’ll still have to use a quarter (which you get back) to use a shopping cart when you shop at Aldi, and you’ll have to bag your groceries. Also, you will have to look at all the products displayed in their shipping cartons (this makes restocking quick and very simple). However, you’ll save a ton of money and have access to clean food for your family. I think the trade-off is more than worth it.

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Source: Natural Society and Business Insider