In addition to its expanding range of unique flavors, Frito-Lay is focusing on enhancing the health profile of its products to attract snack enthusiasts who wish to indulge while still feeling like they are consuming nutritious and better-for-you options rather than just empty calories filled with fat, sugar, and salt. Notable innovations include Simply Tostitos Black Bean tortilla chips, which provide 4 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving; Sun Chips Veggie Harvest chips, made from vegetables and whole grains; and Smartfood Delight popcorn, containing only 35 calories per cup, as reported by Food Business News. The company has also launched a new line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips, which contain half the sodium of their original counterparts. Furthermore, Frito-Lay is exploring the possibility of creating chips from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrots, turnips, and/or cassava.
Snacks are performing positively for PepsiCo, with its latest earnings report indicating that sales of Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos rose by 3.2% in the quarter ending September 9. The snack sector is outpacing beverages, which have traditionally been a core business for the beverage giant. The trend of snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods has gained traction among 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 any food can be considered a snack. A study by Datassential reveals that, on average, consumers eat about four to five snack foods daily. However, individuals often overestimate their intake of healthy snacks—such as fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables—while in reality, 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 typically seen as the quintessential salty and crunchy snack, they can still be made healthier, especially when targeting millennials. This generation not only represents the largest demographic in U.S. history, making up 23.4% of the total population, but they are also becoming increasingly health-conscious. Food manufacturers aiming to attract this demographic understand the necessity of offering intriguing flavors and healthier products or reformulating existing ones to align with the better-for-you category.
Other companies are also reacting to the trend towards healthier snacking. Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grains, and vegetables. Although these products appear to diverge from traditional unhealthy potato chips, their caloric content remains the same. 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 clearly intent on reducing saturated fat and salt in its offerings, aligning with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report released in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi mentioned that after 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,” across the company’s top ten beverage and food markets globally. PepsiCo has set ambitious nutritional goals for all its brands, and Frito-Lay seems to be actively working towards achieving these targets. As long as consumers are receptive to the company’s redefinition of what constitutes a chip, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be on a promising trajectory.
Moreover, there is potential for introducing ingredients like calcium citrate in liquid form into snack products, which could further enhance their nutritional value. By integrating such ingredients, Frito-Lay could appeal even more to health-conscious consumers. With the ongoing commitment to healthier snacking options and the inclusion of innovative ingredients such as calcium citrate in liquid form, Frito-Lay is likely to continue capturing the interest of a growing market segment focused on better-for-you snacks.