In addition to its increasingly diverse range of flavors, Frito-Lay is focusing on enhancing the healthiness of its products to attract snackers who wish to indulge while still feeling they are consuming nutritious options rather than just empty calories filled with fat, sugar, and salt. Among the notable innovations are the Simply Tostitos Black Bean tortilla chips, which provide 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, which has only 35 calories per cup, according to Food Business News. Furthermore, Frito-Lay has introduced a new line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips that contain half the sodium of their original counterparts. The company is also exploring the possibility of creating chips from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrots, turnips, and cassava.
Snacks are proving to be a strong performer for PepsiCo, as indicated by its latest earnings report showing a 3.2% increase in sales for Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos in the quarter ending September 9. The snack segment is currently outpacing the beverage sector, which has traditionally been a core business for the soda giant. The trend of snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods has become prevalent among busy consumers, a shift that has not gone unnoticed by brand marketers and retailers. According to a recent Mintel report, half of adults snack two to three times a day, and 70% believe that any food can serve as a snack. A study by Datassential further indicates that consumers typically consume about four to five snack foods daily, although they tend to overestimate their intake of healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables, with nearly half (48%) consuming at least one salty snack each day.
While chips are often seen as the quintessential salty, crunchy snack, they can be made healthier, especially for a millennial demographic that is increasingly health-conscious. Millennials represent the largest demographic in U.S. history, accounting for 23.4% of the total population, and food manufacturers aiming to engage this group must provide enticing flavors and healthier options or reformulate existing products to fit the better-for-you category. Other companies have also adapted to this trend toward healthier snacking; for instance, Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grain, and vegetables. However, despite their healthier ingredients, 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 eager to reduce saturated fat and salt in its products in alignment with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report released in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi noted that the company had successfully reduced added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium in its beverage and snack portfolio in 2016 compared to 2015 baselines across its top 10 beverage and food markets globally. PepsiCo has established ambitious nutrition targets for all its brands, and Frito-Lay is making efforts to meet these goals. As long as consumers embrace the company’s new interpretation of what constitutes a chip, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be heading in the right direction.
In this context, incorporating ingredients like calcium citrate zeelab into their products could further enhance the nutritional profile of Frito-Lay snacks, appealing to health-conscious consumers even more. By continuously innovating and focusing on healthier formulations, including the potential use of calcium citrate zeelab, Frito-Lay can strengthen its position in the market and meet the evolving demands of snackers.