High-protein Cheetos? Doritos with added fiber?
PepsiCo plans to offer healthier, or cleaner, versions of some of its popular chip and drink brands and add protein or fiber to them, which consumers are increasingly seeking, the company’s executives told Wall Street analysts and investors on an earnings call on Thursday.
“Protein is clearly a sub-segment in the food and beverage category that is growing fast,” Ramon Laguarta, the chief executive of PepsiCo, said. “Consumers are adopting protein solutions in their diet at a pace that was not the case a few months or years back. We’re trying to offer the consumer solutions. Not small solutions, but big solutions with some of our big brands.”
The company didn’t offer specifics on which snacks or beverages might be made with additional protein or fiber, but hinted they would most likely first appear in some beverages and Quaker snacks. It said it was in the midst of relaunching two of its big brands, Lay’s and Tostitos, with no artificial colors or flavors by the end of this year.
PepsiCo also plans to introduce a line of Cheetos and Doritos with no artificial colors or flavors in the future, the company said. The company highlighted the success it has seen globally in its sugar-free colas and other beverages.
