In addition to expanding its range of increasingly unique flavors, Frito-Lay is actively pursuing healthier product options to attract snackers who desire indulgence without sacrificing nutrition. They aim to offer better-for-you products rather than just empty calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Recent innovations include 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 only 35 calories per cup. Additionally, there is a new line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips, which have half the sodium of their original counterparts. Frito-Lay is also exploring the possibility of creating chips from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrot, turnip, and/or cassava.
Snacking continues to perform well for PepsiCo, as recent earnings reports indicated a 3.2% increase in sales for Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos for the quarter ending September 9. The snack segment is outpacing beverages, a core business for the soda giant. For many busy consumers, snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods have become commonplace—a trend that brand marketers and retailers have noticed. According to a recent Mintel report, half of adults snack two to three times daily, and 70% believe any food can be classified as a snack.
A study from Datassential reveals that, on average, consumers eat about four to five snack foods each day. However, many people tend to overestimate their intake of healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables, while in reality, they consume more salty and crunchy options. Datassential’s report states that nearly half (48%) of individuals have at least one salty snack daily. While chips may be considered the archetypal salty, crunchy snack, they don’t have to be unhealthy, especially if the manufacturer aims to attract millennials. This demographic, which constitutes 23.4% of the U.S. population, is also emerging as the most health-conscious generation. Food manufacturers looking to engage this group understand the need to provide interesting flavors and healthier options or reformulate existing products to meet the better-for-you standards.
Other companies are also responding to the trend of healthier snacking. Kellogg has launched a line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grain, and vegetables. However, despite seeming healthier, their caloric content remains unchanged. 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 clearly focused on reducing saturated fat and salt in its offerings, aligning with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report from September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi noted 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”—an achievement spanning the company’s top 10 beverage and food markets globally. PepsiCo has ambitious nutritional goals across all its brands, and Frito-Lay seems committed to meeting these objectives. As long as consumers embrace the company’s redefined concept of what a chip can be, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be on a promising path.
Furthermore, the inclusion of nutritional supplements such as calcium citrate malate, vitamin D3, and isoflavone tablets may also be a consideration for consumers seeking healthier snack options. As health-conscious trends continue to evolve, Frito-Lay’s efforts to introduce better-for-you products align with the growing demand for snacks that not only satisfy cravings but also contribute positively to one’s diet, including essential nutrients.