FritoLay Natural and Organic Chips

The History of FritoLay Natural and Organic Chips

FritoLay launched its line of natural and organic products in 2003. The original products included:

• Organic blue corn and yellow corn tortilla chips
• Natural white cheddar Cheetos
• Natural barbecue-flavored potato chips
• Natural potato chips with sea salt
• Natural reduced-fat potato chips

Since these products were launched, the company has added a line of natural nut products, including natural honey roasted peanuts, lightly roasted almonds, sea-salted peanuts and cashews and a fruit and nut mix. But FritoLay natural and organic chips are still the heart of the line.

What's Organic?

None of the FritoLay products are 100 percent organic, but they are made with organic products so they can use the word organic on their packaging.

The organic ingredients are certified by Oregon Tilth, a highly respected, USDA approved certification agency. Farms that contract with FritoLay to produce their natural line must be inspected to ensure that ingredients are in fact organic.

Organics and Health

Many people who eat organic foods do so because of improved nutritional content, as well as the benefits to the earth derived from using organic agriculture practices.

While FritoLay does not claim that its natural and organic chips are healthier than their non-organic counterparts, the natural varieties do seem to be somewhat healthier. For example, Cheetos puffs that are not made with organic ingredients have 160 calories and 10 grams of fat per 1 ounce serving, as well as 1.5 grams of saturated fat and 370 milligrams of sodium.

The natural variety has 150 calories and 9 grams of fat in the same sized serving. Saturated fat levels remain the same, but the sodium drops to 290 milligrams. There are slightly more nutrients in the non-natural product because the organic corn meal used in the natural Cheetos is not enriched.

The natural Cheetos also have a much shorter ingredient list. The non-natural treats have monosodium glutamate, which some people need to avoid, and, thought it's not enough to require noting that they contain trans fats, partially hydrogenated oil is used in the conventional Cheetos.

This example gives you an idea of the comparison between the natural products and the ones that have always been on the shelves. It's not enough of a difference to suddenly make chips health food, but you can eat them with a little more confidence that at least they are made with better ingredients that are more mindful of the earth.

The Politics of Organics

While some people love the idea of more organic products being widely available to consumers at traditional grocery stores, from companies that have large-scale distribution and, often, lower prices than organic companies, others aren't so sure.

Seeing the same companies making products with organic ingredients and without those ingredients looks to some like the company is trying to have it both ways or isn't really interested in producing organic products but will do so if it helps their bottom line.

Some people say they would prefer to buy organics from companies that are 100 percent committed to organics, rather than those who hopped on the bandwagon when organics became more mainstream.

It's your right as a consumer to spend your money with whatever companies you want, so if that is the way that you feel, you'll want to skip the FritoLay natural and organic chips.

But for others who just want a more economical way to get organics into their diet without having to drive across town to a organic food store, seeing the wider availability of organic products—even when they come from big companies like FritoLay and Heinz—can only be considered a good thing.