Retailer Walmart has promised a 100% money back guarantee on produce items as part of a new scheme to improve quality in U.S. stores, involving produce experts, direct sourcing, training and independent audits.

Walmart U.S. food business executive vice president Jack Sinclair said the company was listening to its customers and and delivering on a promise to provide great produce at the most affordable price.

"We are so sure our customers will be pleased with the fruits and vegetables they buy in our stores, they can receive a full refund if they aren't completely happy," he said in a release.

A disclaimer at the bottom of the release said customers could get a full refund by simply bringing back the receipt, with no need to bring the produce back and no questions asked.

The company release said the business has leveraged off its produce experts, distribution centers and trucking systems to bring produce from farms to store shelves faster. With associates in produce-growing regions and in the fields, Walmart has been able to select farmers who grow "the best fruit and vegetables", the company said.

The company has enlisted independent teams to check stores' produce departments each week, with results reported to every level of store management.

Walmart also highlighted the recent launch of a produce training program for 70,000 associates to learn more about handling fruits and vegetables, equipped with quality guides that clearly illustrate how to identify top produce.

"Empowering our associates with the tools to guarantee our produce quality is a critical component to our 100 percent money-back guarantee," Sinclair said.

"These efforts, combined with the weekly produce checks and operational changes, will ensure our customers bring home the freshest fruits and vegetables."

Sun Pacific chairman Berne H. Evans III, whose company supplies Walmart, said the retailer has always been focused on providing its customers with top-quality fruits and vegetables.

"As a direct result of how Walmart has stored and handled our product, both Cuties and our Ripe and Easy Kiwis have been tremendous sales success stories at Walmart," he said.

Photo: Walmart

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