In addition to its growing assortment of unique flavors, Frito-Lay is focused on enhancing the health benefits of its products to attract snackers who wish to enjoy treats while still feeling they are consuming nutritious options rather than just empty calories, fats, sugars, and salts. Among the recent innovations are 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 with vegetables and whole grains; and Smartfood Delight popcorn, containing only 35 calories per cup, as reported by Food Business News. There is also a new collection of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips, which have 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 well for PepsiCo, with its latest earnings report indicating a 3.2% increase in sales for Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos during the quarter ending September 9. The snack segment is outpacing beverages, traditionally a core business for the soda giant. The trend of snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods has become prevalent among busy consumers—a phenomenon that brand marketers and retailers have noticed. 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 conducted by Datassential reveals that, on average, consumers consume about four to five snack foods daily. However, people often overestimate their intake of healthy snacks—such as fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables. In reality, they tend to consume more salty and crunchy snacks. Nearly half (48%) of individuals report eating at least one salty snack each day, as indicated by Datassential’s findings. While chips are typically considered the quintessential salty and crunchy snack, they can still be made healthier, especially if manufacturers aim to attract millennials. This demographic is not only the largest in U.S. history, accounting for 23.4% of the total population, but they are also emerging as the most health-conscious generation. Food producers looking to engage this group understand the need to provide exciting flavors and healthier options or reformulate existing products to align with better-for-you standards.
Other companies have also adapted to the rising demand for healthier snacks. Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grains, and vegetables. Although these may seem like a shift away 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 clearly committed to 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 noted 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,” encompassing the company’s top 10 beverage and food markets worldwide. PepsiCo has established ambitious nutrition goals across all its brands, and Frito-Lay appears to be making strides to achieve them. As long as consumers embrace the company’s redefinition of what a chip can be, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay seem to be on the right path, potentially incorporating calcium citrate brands into their healthier snack options in the future.