In addition to its diverse range of increasingly exotic flavors, Frito-Lay is striving to enhance the healthiness of its products to attract snackers who wish to indulge while still feeling they are consuming nutritious options rather than just empty calories, fat, sugar, and salt. Among the innovations are Simply Tostitos Black Bean tortilla chips, which offer 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, as noted by Food Business News. Additionally, there is a new line of Lightly Salted Lay’s and Fritos snack chips with half the sodium of their original counterparts. Frito-Lay is also contemplating producing chips from legumes, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, yucca, carrots, turnips, and/or cassava.
Snacks have become a strong performer for PepsiCo, with its latest earnings report revealing a 3.2% increase in sales for Frito-Lay, Doritos, and Cheetos in the quarter ending September 9. The snack sector is outpacing beverages, which traditionally have been the core business for the soda giant. Snacking and grab-and-go convenience foods have become the norm for many busy consumers—a trend that brand marketers and retailers have carefully observed. According to a recent Mintel report, half of adults snack two to three times a day, while 70% believe that any food can function as a snack. A study by Datassential indicates that, on average, consumers eat about four to five snack foods daily. However, people tend to overestimate their intake of healthy snacks—such as fruits, nuts, yogurt, and vegetables—while, in reality, they consume more salty and crunchy snacks. Nearly half (48%) of individuals eat at least one salty snack each day, per Datassential’s findings.
While chips are often viewed as the quintessential salty, crunchy snack, this does not mean they cannot be healthier, particularly if manufacturers aim to attract millennials. This generation is not only the largest demographic in U.S. history—comprising 23.4% of the total population—but they are also emerging as the most health-conscious cohort. Food manufacturers seeking to engage this group understand the necessity of offering intriguing flavors and healthier options or reformulating existing products to fit into the better-for-you category.
Other companies have also reacted to this trend towards healthier snacking. Kellogg has introduced a new line of LOUD Pringles made from corn, grains, and vegetables. However, despite appearing to diverge from the traditionally unhealthy potato chips, the 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 focused on reducing saturated fat and salt in its offerings to align with PepsiCo’s 2025 agenda. In a progress report released in September, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi highlighted that the company had “reduced added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium in its beverage and snacks portfolio volume in 2016 compared to 2015 baselines,” indicating progress across the company’s top 10 beverage and food markets globally.
PepsiCo has established ambitious nutrition goals for all its brands, and it seems that Frito-Lay is making efforts to meet these objectives. As long as consumers resonate with the company’s redefined concept of what a chip entails, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay appear to be on a promising path. Furthermore, the incorporation of innovations such as the ccm tablet into their product lines could enhance their appeal, as health-conscious consumers increasingly seek out snacks that align with their dietary preferences. The potential for ccm tablet integration suggests a forward-thinking approach to snack development, allowing Frito-Lay to remain competitive in the evolving market.