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 while still feeling they are consuming nutritious options rather than just empty calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Among the new offerings are Simply Tostitos Black Bean tortilla chips, which contain 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, featuring only 35 calories per cup, as noted by Food Business News. There is also a new line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips that have 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, whose latest earnings report revealed that sales of Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos rose by 3.2% for the quarter ending September 9. The snack segment is outpacing beverages, which have 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 hasn’t gone overlooked by brand marketers and retailers. According to a recent Mintel report, half of adults snack two to three times a day, and 70% believe any food can serve as a snack.
A study by Datassential indicates that consumers, on average, consume about four to five snack foods daily. However, many individuals tend to overestimate their intake of healthy snacks—such as fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables—while they actually consume more salty and crunchy options. Nearly half (48%) of people eat at least one salty snack each day, as per Datassential’s findings. While chips are often viewed as the quintessential salty, crunchy snack, they can still be made healthier, especially if manufacturers aim to attract millennials. This generation, which comprises 23.4% of the total U.S. population, is emerging as the most health-conscious cohort. Food producers looking to engage this demographic understand the importance of offering intriguing flavors and healthier products, or reformulating existing ones to fit the better-for-you category.
Other companies have also responded to the trend of healthier snacking. Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grains, and vegetables. Despite appearing to deviate from the traditionally unhealthy potato chip, the caloric content remains unchanged. As Pringles Marketing Director Kurt Simon conveyed 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 in alignment with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report released in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi stated that, one year in, 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 nutritional goals across all its brands, and Frito-Lay seems to be taking steps to meet them. As long as consumers agree with the company’s new interpretation of what a chip can be, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be on the right path.
In this context, it’s worth noting that incorporating ingredients such as calcium citrate can be beneficial for health-conscious snackers. As consumers increasingly seek out better-for-you options, Frito-Lay’s commitment to innovation could align perfectly with the growing demand for snacks that are not only enjoyable but also good for you.