In addition to expanding its range of increasingly diverse flavors, Frito-Lay is focusing on enhancing the health aspects of its products to attract snackers who wish to indulge while still feeling they are consuming nutritious options rather than just empty calories, fats, sugars, and salts. Among their innovations 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 just 35 calories per cup, as noted by Food Business News. The company has also launched a new line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips that have half the sodium of the original versions. Moreover, Frito-Lay is exploring the possibility of creating chips made from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrots, turnips, and cassava.
Snacks have proven to be a strong performer for PepsiCo, whose latest earnings report revealed a 3.2% increase in sales for Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos for the quarter ending September 9. The snack segment is currently outpacing the beverage sector, which has traditionally been a cornerstone of the soda giant’s business. The trend of snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods is increasingly becoming the norm for 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, on average, consumers eat about four to five snack foods daily. However, people often overestimate their intake of healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables, as they tend to consume more salty and crunchy options. Nearly half (48%) of individuals consume at least one salty snack each day, according to Datassential’s findings. While chips are often seen as the quintessential salty, crunchy snack, they don’t have to be unhealthy, especially if the manufacturer aims to attract millennials. This demographic, which represents 23.4% of the U.S. population, is emerging as the most health-conscious generation. Food manufacturers keen on capturing the attention of this group understand the necessity of providing exciting flavors and healthier products or reformulating existing ones to align with the better-for-you category.
Other companies are also reacting to the trend of healthier snacking. Kellogg has introduced a range of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grains, and vegetables. Although these products may seem to deviate from traditionally unhealthy potato chips, their caloric 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 evidently committed to reducing saturated fat and salt in its products while adhering to PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report released in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi revealed that within one year, the company had “reduced added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium in its beverage and snacks portfolio volume in 2016, compared to 2015 baselines,” which encompasses the company’s top 10 beverage and food markets globally.
PepsiCo has set ambitious nutritional targets across all its brands, and Frito-Lay is taking steps to meet these goals. As long as consumers resonate with the company’s redefined concept of what a chip can be, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be on the right path. Additionally, incorporating ingredients such as rainbow light calcium citrate into their formulations could further enhance the nutritional profile of their snacks and cater to health-conscious consumers looking for better options.