Frito-Lay Launches Low Sodium Versions of its Top Selling Snack Chips

11/04/08 PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America business unit announced today the launch of Pinch of Salt, a low-sodium version of some of its most popular brands -- Lay's potato chips, Tostitos tortilla chips, Fritos corn chips and Ruffles potato chips. While Frito-Lay snack chips are generally moderate in sodium to begin with -- for instance Lay's Classic potato chips contain 180 mg of sodium per one ounce serving -- the Pinch of Salt product line provides individuals with a low-sodium snack chip that contains 75 mg of sodium per one ounce serving. Pinch of Salt products began to roll out nationally in mid-March.

"The number one request from our consumers is for low sodium versions of the products they love most," said Jaya Kumar, chief marketing officer, Frito- Lay North America. "While consumers request low sodium versions of their favorite products, they aren't willing to compromise on taste. The Pinch of Salt line still gives consumers great-tasting snack chips they want, but with less sodium than their original counterparts."

Depending on the Pinch of Salt product, sodium is 30 to 50 percent less than the original products. The Pinch of Salt product line fits strategically within Frito-Lay's health and wellness portfolio, which provides consumers a variety of options that fit into a healthier lifestyle.

"While Pinch of Salt products meet the consumer need for low-sodium options, many people would be surprised to learn that most of Frito-Lay's core portfolio of snack chips have much less sodium than they think," said Rocco Papalia, senior vice president, research & development, Frito-Lay North America. "Since the salt is on the chip's surface, the salt flavor is prominent compared to foods where the salt is cooked within."

"It's important for consumers to manage their sodium intake," said Georgia Kostas, a registered dietitian and author of The Cooper Clinic Solution to the Diet Revolution. "However the best way to do this is not to rely on 'taste,' because sodium is present in a lot of products in which you wouldn't necessarily taste the salt. Consumers need to turn to the Nutrition Facts Panel to determine how a product fits into their sodium goals."

Pinch of Salt products are available nationally in grocery, retail and mass merchandise. The entire line will be sold for $2.29 for 6-1/4 to 8 ounces packages, depending on the product.

Frito-Lay has a long-standing commitment to health and wellness. In the mid 80s, the company launched Reduced Fat Ruffles potato chips. In the early 90s, the great tasting Baked! Lay's Frito-Lay Pinch of Salt potato crisps and Baked! Tostitos tortilla chips were first introduced. Frito-Lay led the industry with its response to trans fats. In 2003, Frito-Lay eliminated trans fats from its entire snack chip portfolio by converting Cheetos, Doritos, and Tostitos to corn oil. In addition, the company listed trans fat on the nutritional panel of its snack chips more than two years in advance of the 2006 Food & Drug Administration mandate. Frito-Lay's core snack chip portfolio uses healthier oils that have lower amounts of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fats and higher amounts of the "good" monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.