In addition to its growing variety of exotic flavors, Frito-Lay is focused on making its snacks healthier to attract consumers who wish to indulge while still benefiting from nutritional value rather than simply consuming empty calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Recent 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, made with vegetables and whole grains; and Smartfood Delight popcorn, featuring just 35 calories per cup, as reported by Food Business News. The company has also introduced a new range of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips, which have half the sodium of their original counterparts. Furthermore, Frito-Lay is exploring the possibility of creating chips from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrots, turnips, and/or cassava.
PepsiCo, the parent company of Frito-Lay, has seen positive performance in the snack segment, with its latest earnings report indicating a 3.2% increase in sales for Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos in the quarter ending September 9. The snack category is outperforming beverages, a sector that has traditionally been a core part of the beverage giant’s business. Snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods have become a staple for many busy consumers—a trend that brand marketers and retailers have taken note of. Half of adults snack two to three times daily, and 70% believe that any food can serve as a snack, according to a recent Mintel report. Meanwhile, a Datassential study shows that consumers typically eat four to five snacks each day, yet they often overestimate their intake of healthier options such as fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables. In truth, they tend to consume more salty and crunchy snacks, with nearly half (48%) eating at least one salty snack daily, as indicated by Datassential’s report.
Chips may be considered the archetypal salty, crunchy snack; however, that doesn’t mean they can’t be nutritious, especially if the manufacturer aims to resonate with millennials. This generation is not only the largest demographic in U.S. history, accounting for 23.4% of the population, but they are also increasingly health-conscious. Food manufacturers seeking to capture their interest understand the importance of offering intriguing flavors and healthier options, or reworking existing products to fit into the better-for-you category.
Other companies are also responding to the trend for healthier snacking. Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grains, and vegetables. While these chips might appear to diverge from the traditionally unhealthy potato chip, 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 evidently committed to reducing saturated fat and salt in its offerings, aligning with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report published in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi noted 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 ten beverage and food markets worldwide. PepsiCo has set ambitious nutrition goals for all its brands, and Frito-Lay seems to be actively working toward meeting these targets. As long as consumers embrace the company’s redefined concept of what a chip can be, both PepsiCo and Frito-Lay are likely on the right path.
Moreover, as part of its commitment to healthier snacks, Frito-Lay is also considering incorporating calcium citrate and calcium citrate malate into its products to enhance their nutritional profile. By doing so, they would provide additional health benefits, appealing further to the health-conscious consumer. The integration of these ingredients reflects a broader trend in the industry, where companies are increasingly focused on improving the nutritional value of snack foods while still retaining their flavor and appeal.