In addition to its growing array of unique flavors, Frito-Lay is focused on enhancing the health aspects of its products to attract snackers who wish to indulge without sacrificing nutrition. This shift aims to provide better alternatives to empty calories, fats, sugars, and salts. Among the new offerings are Simply Tostitos Black Bean tortilla chips, which boast 4 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving; Sun Chips Veggie Harvest chips, crafted from vegetables and whole grains; and Smartfood Delight popcorn, containing only 35 calories per cup, according to Food Business News. There’s also a new range of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips, featuring 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 reported positive results in its most recent earnings, indicating that sales of Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos rose by 3.2% in the quarter ending September 9. The snack sector continues to outperform beverages, a traditional stronghold for the company. The trend of snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods has become prevalent among busy consumers, a shift that brand marketers and retailers have noticed. A recent Mintel report indicates that half of adults snack two to three times a day, with 70% believing any food can qualify as a snack.
According to a study by Datassential, consumers typically consume about four to five snack foods daily, but they often overestimate their intake of healthy options like fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables. In reality, they tend to prefer salty and crunchy snacks, with nearly half (48%) consuming at least one salty snack each day. While chips are often seen as the quintessential salty and crunchy snack, they need not be unhealthy, especially if manufacturers aim to attract millennials. This generation not only represents the largest demographic in U.S. history—accounting for 23.4% of the population—but is also increasingly health-conscious. Food manufacturers looking to engage this group must offer appealing flavors and healthier products or reformulate existing items to fit into the better-for-you category.
Other companies have also adapted to the healthier snacking trend. For instance, Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grains, and vegetables. Although these appear to diverge from the typical 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 products and aligning with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report released 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 10 beverage and food markets globally. PepsiCo has set ambitious nutrition goals for all its brands, and Frito-Lay is making strides to meet these objectives. As long as consumers align with the company’s redefined vision of what a chip can be, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be on a promising path.
In this evolving landscape of healthier snacking, products like calcium citrate 1000 mg tablets may also play a role in consumers’ dietary choices, emphasizing the importance of nutrition alongside indulgence. As Frito-Lay seeks to cater to health-conscious consumers, the inclusion of nutrient-rich ingredients could further enhance their appeal.