PepsiCo Bolsters Healthy Snack Portfolio With Launch Of New Popcorn Range

TEXAS, United States — PepsiCo has launched a new range of healthy popcorn, as it further diversifies its better-for-you portfolio.

Smart50, which is available at retail stores across the US, features two flavours: sea salt and white cheddar, and is made from 100 percent whole-grain popcorn, free from artificial flavours and preservatives. It takes on rivals including Propercorn, Metcalfes, and SkinnyPop, all of which are helping to drive the global healthy snacks market towards the $32.88 billion mark.

“With the launch of Smart50, we wanted to show consumers that making smart choices doesn’t mean having to sacrifice fun or flavour,” said Tracey Williams, Senior Director of Marketing, Pepsico.

“As our latest innovation, Smart50 extends our brand mission to provide simple and transparent ingredients and is designed to make consumers feel good about their snacking choices.”

Launched under the snack and beverage company’s Smartfood brand, one of the many brands that make up Frito-Lay North America, the launch of the line further delivers on PepsiCo’s Performance with Purpose vision, which aims to offer consumers more positive nutrition options.

Last year the company acquired Bare Foods Co., a US-based maker of baked fruit and vegetable snacks.

A separate acquisition of Health Warrior — a nutrition-forward company that makes plant-based products including nutrition bars and other trend-led offerings — has also bolstered its push into the healthy nutrition space.

“For nearly a dozen years, PepsiCo has been committed to Performance with Purpose, our vision of making more nutritious products, while also reducing added sugars, salt, and saturated fat. Bare Snacks fits perfectly within that vision,” commented Indra Nooyi, chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo, at the time.”

Despite PepsiCo seeing its total revenue increase from $62.8 billion in 2016 to $64.7 billion in 2018, as consumers continue to make healthier snacking choices, the company believes that by positioning itself at the forefront of changing consumer preferences and trends it can reinforce its foothold on the market.

Its Nutrition Greenhouse project, an accelerator which aims to identify and nurture the healthy food and beverage brands of tomorrow has also helped the company to gain valuable insights into the future market, further exemplifying its mission.

Launched in 2017, last year the European arm of the programme featured eight disruptive wellness brands including lower sugar snack brand Nibble Protein, dairy and gluten-free smoothie bowls Revolicious and organic, vegan-friendly drinks capsules Rokit Pods. Each startup received a €25,000 grant and six months support from PepsiCo experts, to help accelerate the growth of their business.

By keeping on top of consumer behaviour and innovations in healthy snacking and nutrition, as well as collaboratively delivering great concepts to market, PepsiCo seems to have found its winning formula for now.