Sam's Club to strengthen food safety measures following investigation

Walmart China, parent company of Sam's Club China, said it will tighten controls after the country's top regulator summoned Walmart unit over food safety issues.

The retailer said it "fully acknowledges, deeply reflects upon, and sincerely accepts" the concerns raised by regulators, while apologizing to members for any inconvenience.

The company added that it has launched a senior management-led task force to conduct a full internal inspection and rectification campaign across its operations.

The unit of Walmart Inc said it would strengthen food safety management, improve end-to-end quality control systems, and strictly comply with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements. It also said it would regularly report progress to authorities and "willingly accept public supervision".

The response came after China's top market regulator summoned executives from Walmart China following repeated food safety violations identified at Sam's Club stores and its online retail channels.

The State Administration for Market Regulation said on Monday that it conducted a regulatory interview with the company after uncovering issues over an extended period across both physical outlets and e-commerce operations.

Regulators instructed Walmart China to fully comply with China's food safety laws and relevant rules governing chain retailers and online food sales operators. SAMR also called for stronger supply chain oversight, improved risk controls, and enhanced corporate accountability mechanisms to safeguard consumer health.

"Rapid expansion of Sam's Club will inevitably bring growing pains that risk diluting the member experience," Jason Yu, general manager at CTR Market Research, said.