By George Anderson
Frito-Lay is betting that consumers won't be able to eat only one chip now that the company has announced it is going to produce Lay's and Ruffles cooked in NuSun sunflower oil instead of cottonseed oil.
The change in how the chips will be made will drop the saturated fat content in the chip by 66 percent. The latest innovation comes three years after Frito-Lay removed trans fats from its salty snack products.
The move, however, does not come without risks. Martin Lindstrom, an international brand consultant told USA Today, "Some people will ask: Why did you change my favorite product?" Even if the product continues to taste the same as before, he said, "Many consumers will change their perception of the taste the moment they hear it's healthier."
For its part, Frito-Lay believes that the new healthier chip will be a hit with consumers, not only because of the reduction in trans fats but because they won't notice any change in taste.
Lora DeVuono, group vice president of marketing for Frito-Lay, said, "This is transformational for the Lay's business. It's right for the consumer and right for our future."
Moderator's Comment: Will Frito-Lay have a hit with its new sunflower oil cooked chips? Will other branded manufacturers soon follow? What will this mean for the private label chip business? - George Anderson - Moderator