By Matt Underwood PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. Okay, so it looks like PepsiCo is making some changes to its popular snack brands, Lays and Tostitos, by removing artificial dyes and flavors. Honestly, it seems like a small step, but it could be a sign of changing consumer preferences and maybe even some gentle pressure from the powers that be to clean up junk food a little bit.
PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. From what I’ve gathered, this whole thing is sparking a wide range of reactions, and they’re pretty interesting. Some folks are welcoming the move, seeing it as a step in the right direction, especially if they’ve already been enjoying the “Simply” line of snacks. The general feeling is that if you’re already eating chips, maybe having fewer artificial ingredients is a good thing. People who are already conscious about what they eat are more likely to appreciate this step.
PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. The change might actually impact your perception of the food you are eating. Some folks are also skeptical, and honestly, I can see why. There’s a concern that the products might taste different, or the changes are just a marketing ploy. There’s also the potential for the whole thing to turn into a game of, “The product doesn’t taste the same; therefore, it’s worse.” But whether that’s true is another story. Plus, there’s the suspicion that prices could go up, or the bags might get smaller, which are very valid consumer concerns.
PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. On the other hand, some seem to be wondering about the need for artificial dyes and flavors in the first place. For Tostitos, in particular, it seems many varieties might already be fairly simple, just corn, oil, and salt. Some comments mention that the chips are going to taste different. And others that the change to turmeric might be a problem. Others are quick to point out that the real problem isn’t the ingredients, it’s eating too much of the stuff in the first place.
PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. It’s interesting that some people are already calling out the potential for a backlash. It’s easy to imagine a scenario where people who are used to the old taste might be disappointed by the new versions. We should keep in mind that consumer sentiment isn’t always based on science. I mean, all those artificial ingredients are something we’ve all consumed for a long time.
PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. One of the core arguments is about the larger implications of changing ingredients. People will continue to eat chips, regardless. And some of these people are concerned about the health consequences. If you are going to eat junk food, eat the stuff you enjoy. If the new chips taste worse, then people are likely to go back to the way it was. This decision is only impactful if consumers don’t like it.
PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. It’s true that there are questions about the science of the issue. Some say that this is a bigger problem because these foods are not healthy regardless. It brings up broader questions about the effectiveness of these kinds of changes in addressing actual health problems. People may not be better off, even if they’re less likely to experience side effects, in the end.
PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. The conversation has also touched on the topic of high-fructose corn syrup versus regular sugar, along with comments about different types of sugar. The gist is that, in excess, they’re all equally bad. There’s also the point that this may be a cost-cutting measure that will not benefit the consumer.
PepsiCo to rebrand Lays, Tostitos without artificial dyes, flavors. A key takeaway is that both Lays and Tostitos already have some varieties that don’t use artificial dyes. It’s a gradual shift, and it’s possible the change is more about meeting regulations in certain markets than a radical overhaul.