In addition to its expanding array of unique flavors, Frito-Lay is striving to enhance the health profile of its products to attract snackers who wish to indulge while still feeling they are consuming nutritious options rather than just empty calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Among the recent innovations are Simply Tostitos Black Bean tortilla chips, which offer 4 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving; Sun Chips Veggie Harvest chips, crafted with vegetables and whole grains; and Smartfood Delight popcorn, containing only 35 calories per cup, as noted by Food Business News. A new line of Light Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips has been introduced, featuring half the sodium of the original varieties. Furthermore, Frito-Lay is exploring the possibility of creating chips from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrots, turnips, and/or cassava.
Snacks are performing well for PepsiCo, with their latest earnings report indicating that sales of Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos rose by 3.2% during the quarter ending September 9. The snack segment is outpacing the beverage category, which has traditionally been a stronghold for the soda giant. Snack foods and grab-and-go options have become essential for many busy consumers—a trend that has been duly noted 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 be considered a snack.
A study from Datassential reveals that, on average, consumers indulge in about four to five snack foods daily. However, individuals often overestimate their intake of healthier snacks—such as fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables—while the reality shows a preference for salty and crunchy options. Nearly half of the respondents (48%) consume at least one salty snack each day, as reported by Datassential. While chips are often seen as the quintessential salty, crunchy snack, they don’t have to be unhealthy, especially if the manufacturer aims to attract millennials. This demographic not only represents the largest group in U.S. history—making up 23.4% of the total population—but is also emerging as the most health-conscious generation. Food manufacturers targeting this audience recognize the need to provide intriguing flavors and healthier products or to reformulate existing items to fit the better-for-you category.
Other companies have also reacted to the healthier snacking trend. Kellogg has rolled out a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grain, and vegetables. Although these may appear to diverge from the typically 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 salt in its offerings to align with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report published in September, PepsiCo Chairperson and CEO Indra Nooyi remarked that the company had “reduced added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium in its beverage and snacks portfolio volume in 2016, compared to 2015 baselines”—a move that resonates across the company’s top 10 beverage and food markets worldwide. PepsiCo has set ambitious nutritional targets for all its brands, and Frito-Lay seems committed to achieving these goals. As long as consumers embrace the company’s redefinition of what a chip can be, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be on a promising path toward healthier snacking options, including products that may incorporate calcium citrate 200 mg (950 mg) tablets to enhance nutritional value.