In addition to expanding its range of increasingly exotic flavors, Frito-Lay is focused on enhancing the healthiness of its products to attract snackers looking to indulge while still feeling they are receiving some nutritional benefits rather than just empty calories, fat, sugar, and salt. 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, as noted by Food News. Additionally, there is a fresh line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips, featuring half the sodium of the original versions. Frito-Lay is also exploring the possibility of creating chips from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrots, turnips, and cassava.
Snacks have proven to be a strong performer 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 sector is outpacing beverages, which have traditionally been a core business for the soda giant. The trend towards snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods has become the norm for many busy consumers, a shift that hasn’t 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 reveals that, on average, consumers eat about four to five snack foods daily. However, many tend to overestimate the number of healthy snacks—such as fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables—they consume. In reality, they often choose more salty and crunchy options. Nearly half (48%) of people report consuming at least one salty snack daily, according to Datassential’s findings. While chips may be considered the quintessential salty, crunchy snack, it doesn’t mean they have to be unhealthy, especially if manufacturers aim to attract millennials. This generation, representing 23.4% of the total U.S. population, is increasingly health-conscious. Food producers eager to capture their attention know they must provide intriguing flavors and healthier products, or reformulate existing ones to align with the better-for-you trend.
Other companies are also responding to the healthier snacking movement. Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grain, and vegetables. Although these chips seem to diverge from the traditionally unhealthy potato chip image, 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 clearly aims to minimize saturated fat and salt in its offerings while 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”—an initiative affecting the company’s top ten beverage and food markets worldwide.
PepsiCo has set ambitious nutrition goals across all its brands, and Frito-Lay appears committed to achieving these objectives. As long as consumers resonate with the company’s redefined concept of what a snack should be, Frito-Lay and PepsiCo seem to be on a promising path. This aligns with a purely holistic approach that focuses on integrating essential nutrients like calcium citrate into their snacks, ensuring that health-conscious consumers can enjoy their favorite treats without compromising on nutrition.