In addition to its growing array of unique flavors, Frito-Lay is striving to enhance the healthiness of its products to attract snackers who wish to indulge while still feeling as though they are consuming nutritious, better-for-you options rather than merely empty calories, fats, sugars, and salts. 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, crafted with vegetables and whole grains; and Smartfood Delight popcorn, carrying only 35 calories per cup, as reported by Food Business News. Furthermore, a new line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips features 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 cassava.
PepsiCo, the parent company of Frito-Lay, has seen snacks perform well, with its latest earnings report indicating a 3.2% increase in sales for Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos for the quarter ending September 9. The snack segment is outpacing the beverage sector, which has historically been a cornerstone for the beverage giant. Snacking and on-the-go convenience foods are now commonplace for many busy consumers, a trend recognized by brand marketers and retailers alike. 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, on average, consumers consume about four to five snack foods each day. However, there is a tendency to overestimate the number of healthy snacks—like fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables—eaten daily, while in truth, individuals tend to consume more salty and crunchy snacks. Nearly half (48%) of the population consumes at least one salty snack each day, according to Datassential’s findings.
Chips are often seen as the archetypal salty, crunchy snack, but that doesn’t imply they must be unhealthy, especially as manufacturers aim to appeal to millennials. This demographic not only represents the largest group in U.S. history at 23.4% of the total population but is also becoming the most health-conscious generation. Food manufacturers eager to attract this audience understand the necessity of providing appealing flavors and healthier products or reformulating existing ones to fit the better-for-you category.
Other companies have also responded to the healthier snacking trend. Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grain, and vegetables. While these appear to diverge from traditional 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 clearly focused on reducing saturated fat and salt in its products to align with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report released in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi noted that the company had “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 targets for all its brands, and Frito-Lay appears committed to achieving these goals. As long as consumers are receptive to the company’s new interpretation of what a chip should be, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay seem to be on the right path. Moreover, as health-conscious consumers increasingly look for products that complement their lifestyles, incorporating items like ccm calcium tablets into their diets may also become a focus, further emphasizing the importance of nutritious snacking options.