“Frito-Lay’s Commitment to Healthier Snacking: Innovating Flavor and Nutrition for Today’s Consumers”
In addition to its growing selection of unique flavors, Frito-Lay is focusing on improving the healthiness of its products to cater to snackers who want to indulge while still enjoying some nutritional benefits rather than just empty calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Notable innovations include Simply Tostitos Black Bean tortilla chips, which contain 4 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving; Sun Chips Veggie Harvest chips, made with vegetables and whole grains; and Smartfood Delight popcorn, featuring only 35 calories per cup, as reported by Food Business News. There is also a new range of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips that have half the sodium compared to their original versions. Furthermore, Frito-Lay is exploring the possibility of creating chips from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrot, turnip, and/or cassava.
Snacking remains a strong performer for PepsiCo, with the latest earnings report indicating that sales of Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos rose by 3.2% in the quarter ending September 9. The snack sector is currently outpacing the beverage category, which has been a foundational business for the soda giant. The trend towards snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods has become commonplace among busy consumers, a shift that brand marketers and retailers have taken note of. According to a recent Mintel report, half of adults snack two to three times daily, and 70% believe that any food can be classified as a snack.
A study by Datassential reveals that consumers typically consume about four to five snack foods daily. However, individuals often overestimate the number of healthy snacks—such as fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables—they consume, while in reality, they tend to eat more salty and crunchy snacks. Nearly 48% of respondents consume at least one salty snack each day, according to Datassential’s findings. Chips, often seen as the quintessential salty, crunchy snack, don’t necessarily have to be unhealthy, especially if manufacturers aim to attract millennials. This generation represents the largest demographic in U.S. history, accounting for 23.4% of the total population, and is increasingly recognized as the most health-conscious generation. Food manufacturers looking to engage this demographic must offer intriguing flavors and healthier products or reformulate existing ones to align with better-for-you standards.
Other companies have also responded to the demand for healthier snacking options. Kellogg has introduced a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grains, and vegetables. While these may appear to deviate from traditional unhealthy potato chips, their caloric content remains unchanged. As Pringles Marketing Director Kurt Simon stated to CNN Money, “We’re not trying to convey that the new crisps are better for you.”
Frito-Lay is clearly focused on reducing saturated fat and sodium in its products, aligning with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report released in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi announced that the company had “reduced added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium in its beverage and snacks portfolio volume in 2016, compared to 2015 baselines,” across its top 10 beverage and food markets globally.
PepsiCo has established ambitious nutritional goals for all its brands, and Frito-Lay seems committed to achieving them. As long as consumers embrace the company’s redefined concept of what a chip can be, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be on the right path. Moreover, as the trend towards healthier snacks continues, incorporating options like kal calcium citrate chewable into their product lines could further enhance their appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking nutritious alternatives.
