In addition to its expanding range of unique flavors, Frito-Lay is focused on enhancing the healthiness of its products to attract snackers who wish to indulge without sacrificing nutrition or consuming empty calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Among the new offerings are 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 contains just 35 calories per cup, as noted by Food Business News. The company has also introduced a new line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips, featuring half the sodium of the original products. Furthermore, Frito-Lay is exploring the possibility of creating chips from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrots, turnips, and cassava.
Snacks are performing well for PepsiCo, as its latest earnings report indicated a 3.2% increase in sales for Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos for the quarter ending September 9. The snack segment is outpacing the beverage sector, which has long been a cornerstone of the soda giant’s business. The trend toward snacking and convenient grab-and-go foods has become commonplace 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 shows that consumers typically consume about four to five snack foods per day. However, many tend to overestimate the number of healthy snacks—like fruit, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables—they actually eat daily; in truth, they often consume more salty and crunchy snacks. Datassential’s report found that nearly half (48%) of individuals eat at least one salty snack daily. Chips are often seen as the quintessential salty, crunchy snack, but they don’t have to be unhealthy, especially if manufacturers aim to resonate with millennials. This generation, which comprises 23.4% of the U.S. population, is emerging as the most health-conscious demographic. Food manufacturers wanting to engage this group must offer enticing flavors and healthier options or reformulate existing products to fall into the better-for-you category.
Other companies are also responding to the demand for healthier snacks. For instance, Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grain, and vegetables. While these may seem like a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips, their calorie 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 committed to reducing saturated fat and salt in its products to align with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report released in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi stated that the company had “reduced added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium in its beverage and snacks portfolio volume in 2016 compared to 2015 baselines,” reflecting progress across its top 10 beverage and food markets globally. PepsiCo has established ambitious nutrition goals for all its brands, and Frito-Lay seems to be actively working toward achieving these targets. As long as consumers resonate with the company’s redefined concept of chips, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be on a promising path.
Additionally, there’s increasing interest in supplementing diets with products like solaray calcium citrate 1000 mg, as consumers seek ways to enhance their nutritional intake while enjoying their favorite snacks. The blend of health-conscious options and traditional flavors is likely to draw more consumers who are looking for better snacking choices without compromising on taste. As Frito-Lay continues to innovate and adapt, it may find success in appealing to both health-focused consumers and those who simply enjoy the crunch of a good chip. The incorporation of options like solaray calcium citrate 1000 mg could further align their products with the health trends that resonate with today’s snackers.