Least Processed Foods at Walmart
Great Value is America's largest store brand by volume with 21,000+ products in our database. Our analysis reveals significant variance — some Great Value products match national brand quality while others rely heavily on cost-cutting additives.
Walmart at a Glance
15 Least Processed Walmart Brands
Brands ranked by lowest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great value | 21,242 | 7.5 4.1 | 7893 | 3138 |
| 2 | Marketside | 4,014 | 12.3 3.4 | 2434 | 473 |
| 3 | Equate | 486 | 13.3 5.3 | 471 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Least Processed
Least Processed Walmart Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Walmart Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Great Value products span the full processing spectrum — always check ingredients
- 2Marketside (Walmart's fresh brand) generally scores lower than Great Value
- 3Compare Great Value directly to the national brand equivalent for the same product
- 4Store brand "organic" lines often have simpler formulations than regular store brand
Most Processed Walmart Brands
For comparison — brands with the highest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Equate | 486 | 13.3 5.3 | 471 | 0 |
| 2 | Marketside | 4,014 | 12.3 3.4 | 2434 | 473 |
| 3 | Great value | 21,242 | 7.5 4.1 | 7893 | 3138 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Value more processed than national brands?
It depends on the product. Some Great Value items match or beat national brand formulations, while others use cheaper ingredients (HFCS vs sugar, soybean oil vs olive oil) that increase processing scores.
Which Walmart brands are least processed?
Marketside (fresh deli/bakery) generally scores lower than Great Value. Our rankings break down all Walmart store brands by average processing score.
Can you eat healthy shopping only at Walmart?
Yes. Walmart carries minimally processed staples (fresh produce, plain meats, dairy, rice, beans) alongside ultra-processed options. The key is ingredient-list awareness, not store avoidance.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.