Walmart controversies

Opioid-prescription compliance settlement

The Department of Justice announced a $50 million settlement resolving allegations that Walmart pharmacies filled invalid opioid and other controlled-substance prescriptions. The government described the matter as allegations and required additional compliance measures.

Frozen pasta sold at Walmart recalled over listeria fears

Recall announced

A frozen pasta product sold at Walmart was recalled over fears of listeria contamination, according to a report by ksla.com. The recall concerned the frozen pasta item offered for sale at Walmart. The report cited listeria fears as the reason for the recall. No further details about the product, the scope of the recall, or its outcome were provided in the source.

A frozen pasta product sold at Walmart has been recalled over fears of listeria contamination, as reported by ksla.com.

FTC money-transfer fraud litigation

The FTC alleged that Walmart’s money-transfer services were used by scammers to defraud consumers and that the company failed to maintain adequate warnings, training, and fraud-prevention procedures. The litigation was resolved in 2025 through a stipulated order and $10 million judgment.

Walmart faces backlash over ‘All Lives Matter’ T-shirt listing

Public backlash

Walmart faced online criticism for selling an “All Lives Matter” T-shirt. Walmart Canada said a third-party seller listed the items, said it would review them, and the product had been removed from its Canadian website by Thursday morning; it remained available in the US.

Walmart Canada faces backlash over T-shirt listing

Public backlash

Walmart Canada faced backlash for selling an "All Lives Matter" T-shirt online. The event was reported on June 23, 2020, with the source describing the listing as the subject of criticism. The available information does not specify the outcome, any response by the company, or further details about the listing.

ByteDance clarifies reports about TikTok's proposed U.S. cooperation

Company response

ByteDance issued a clarification addressing rumors about the proposed TikTok cooperation, including claims that ByteDance would lose control of TikTok Global and that Oracle might take possession of TikTok's source code. ByteDance said TikTok Global was wholly owned by ByteDance and that the proposal involved no transfer of algorithms or technology.

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act resolution

Walmart and its Brazilian subsidiary agreed to pay a combined $137 million criminal penalty to resolve U.S. government allegations concerning failures in anti-corruption accounting controls and improper payments involving international operations. Walmart also agreed to compliance-monitoring obligations, while the SEC separately announced disgorgement of profits.

Walmart Canada recalls Parent’s Choice infant formula

Recall announced

Walmart Canada recalled Parent’s Choice brand Infant Formula Babies Sensitive to Lactose because of possible Cronobacter contamination. The recall was reported on October 30, 2019. The product affected is a lactose-sensitive infant formula sold under the Parent’s Choice brand. The stated reason for the recall is the potential presence of Cronobacter, a bacterium that can pose health risks to infants. No further details on the number of affected units, specific lot codes, or reported illnesses were provided in the source. The recall notice was publicized through a CTV News report.

Walmart removes inappropriate sweaters from its marketplace

Company response

After images of inappropriate Christmas sweaters sold by a third-party seller on Walmart.ca were posted on social media, Walmart Canada said it removed the products from its marketplace and apologized for any unintended offense.

Pregnancy-discrimination lawsuit

The EEOC alleged that Walmart denied pregnant employees access to light-duty accommodations that were available to certain other employees with work restrictions.

Allegations of international corruption

Investigations reported allegations that intermediaries connected to Walmart operations in Mexico and other countries made improper payments or operated amid inadequate anti-corruption controls. The matter led to a multiyear internal investigation and later government resolutions.