In addition to its growing selection of unique flavors, Frito-Lay is focused on enhancing the healthiness of its products to attract consumers who wish to indulge while still feeling like they are making nutritious choices rather than simply consuming empty calories, fats, sugars, and salts. 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, crafted with vegetables and whole grains; and Smartfood Delight popcorn, which has only 35 calories per cup, as noted by Food Business News. Furthermore, there is a new range of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips, which contain half the sodium of their original counterparts. Frito-Lay is also exploring the possibility of creating chips from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrots, turnips, and/or cassava.
Snacks continue to perform well for PepsiCo, with the latest earnings report indicating that sales of Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos increased by 3.2% in the quarter ending September 9. The snack segment is surpassing the beverage sector, which has traditionally been a stronghold for the soda giant. The trend of snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods has become commonplace for many busy consumers, a shift that has not escaped the notice of brand marketers and retailers. According to a recent Mintel report, half of adults snack two to three times daily, and 70% believe any food can serve as a snack. A study by Datassential shows that consumers typically consume about four to five snack foods each day. However, many tend to overestimate their intake of healthy snacks—like fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables—while actually consuming more salty and crunchy options. Nearly half (48%) of individuals consume at least one salty snack daily, according to Datassential’s findings.
Chips are often seen as the archetypal salty, crunchy snack, but they don’t have to be unhealthy, particularly if manufacturers aim to attract millennials. This generation is not only the largest demographic in U.S. history, constituting 23.4% of the total population, but they are also emerging as the most health-conscious cohort. Food producers aiming to engage this group understand the necessity of providing intriguing flavors and healthier options or reformulating existing products to fit into the better-for-you category.
Other companies have also responded to the demand for healthier snacking. Kellogg, for instance, has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grains, and vegetables. While these options appear to diverge from the traditionally unhealthy potato chips, their caloric content remains unchanged. As Pringles Marketing Director Kurt Simon mentioned to CNN Money, “We’re not trying to convey that the new crisps are better for you.”
Frito-Lay is clearly intent on reducing saturated fat and sodium in its offerings, aligning 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 the company’s commitment across its top 10 beverage and food markets globally. PepsiCo has established ambitious nutrition goals across all its brands, and Frito-Lay appears to be actively working towards achieving them. As long as consumers resonate with the company’s redefinition of what a chip can be, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay seem to be on a promising path.
Moreover, in line with these health-conscious efforts, Frito-Lay is exploring the incorporation of ingredients like pure encapsulations calcium and calcium citrate into their products, aiming for a nutritional boost that appeals to modern snackers. As they continue to innovate and reformulate, the integration of such beneficial components may further enhance their product offerings, potentially leading to a stronger market presence in the competitive snack industry.