PepsiCo is making significant changes to some of its popular snack brands, including Cheetos and Doritos, by offering versions without artificial colors and flavors. This move comes in response to increasing consumer and regulatory pressure to remove synthetic additives from food products.
In their second-quarter earnings report, PepsiCo announced plans to introduce extensions of Cheetos and Doritos that will be free of artificial colors and flavors. Additionally, they will be repositioning their Lay’s and Tostitos brands to emphasize their lack of synthetic additives.
CEO Ramon Laguarta stated that the company aims to enhance the “real food perception” of their Lay’s chip brand by simplifying the ingredients to just potatoes, oil, and salt. Similar strategies will be applied to Tostitos as well. PepsiCo is also looking to fortify more products with protein, fiber, and other popular ingredients.
The changes are not limited to snacks, as PepsiCo is also planning to enter the “liquid protein space” with their beverages. This shift towards cleaner ingredients is in line with the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign and the push for better-for-you products by health officials.
President Donald Trump recently mentioned Coca-Cola’s agreement to use cane sugar in their U.S. products, indicating a broader trend towards cleaner labels and natural ingredients in the food and beverage industry.
PepsiCo is open to using sugar in more beverage products if there is consumer demand for it, as they already offer a sugar-sweetened version of their cola. The company aims to transition their entire portfolio to natural colors in the next couple of years.
In addition to removing artificial additives, PepsiCo is addressing consumer demands for protein and other beneficial ingredients by incorporating avocado and olive oil into some Frito-Lay and Quaker brands. They also plan to enhance products with protein, fiber, and whole grains to meet evolving consumer preferences.
Overall, PepsiCo is committed to following consumer trends and staying ahead of the curve when it comes to providing healthier and more natural options in both their snacks and beverages. Their focus on clean-label ingredients and better-for-you products reflects the changing landscape of the food industry and the growing demand for transparency and health-conscious choices.
