In addition to its expanding selection of increasingly unique flavors, Frito-Lay is focusing on enhancing the healthiness of its products to cater to snackers seeking indulgence without sacrificing nutrition. This shift aims to replace empty calories, fat, sugar, and salt with better-for-you options. Notable innovations include Simply Tostitos Black Bean tortilla chips, which contain 4 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving; Sun Chips Veggie Harvest, crafted from vegetables and whole grains; and Smartfood Delight popcorn, which has only 35 calories per cup. There’s also a new line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips that contain half the sodium of the original versions. Additionally, 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 performance in the snack sector, with sales of Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos rising by 3.2% in the quarter ending September 9. This growth in snacks outpaces the beverage sector, which has traditionally been a stronghold for the soda giant. The trend of snacking and grab-and-go foods has gained traction among busy consumers, a phenomenon noted by brand marketers and retailers alike. According to a recent Mintel report, half of adults snack two to three times a day, and 70% believe that virtually any food can serve as a snack. Datassential’s study indicates that consumers typically consume four to five snack foods daily, although they often overestimate their intake of healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables, while actually consuming more salty and crunchy snacks. Nearly half (48%) admit to eating at least one salty snack each day.
While chips are often seen as the epitome of salty, crunchy snacks, they can be made healthier, especially if manufacturers target the millennial demographic. This generation, representing 23.4% of the U.S. population, is increasingly health-conscious. Food brands aiming to attract this group understand the necessity of offering exciting flavors and healthier products or reformulating existing ones to align with better-for-you standards. Other companies are also adapting to meet the demand for healthier snacking options. For example, Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grain, and vegetables. However, despite these innovations, their caloric content remains similar to traditional potato chips. As Pringles Marketing Director Kurt Simon stated in an interview with CNN Money, “We’re not trying to convey that the new crisps are better for you.”
Frito-Lay is evidently dedicated to reducing saturated fat and sodium in its products, in line with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report released in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi highlighted that the company had successfully “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 established ambitious nutrition goals for all its brands, and Frito-Lay seems committed to achieving these targets. As long as consumers resonate with the company’s redefined concept of chips, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be on the right path. Moreover, incorporating options like bariatric chewable calcium can also help meet the nutritional needs of health-conscious consumers, providing a convenient way to enhance dietary intake while snacking. This focus on nutrition further aligns with the growing preference for healthier snack alternatives, evidencing the importance of innovation in addressing consumer demands.