PepsiCo New Zealand, maker of Bluebird potato chips and other snacks, has changed the cooking oil for its major snack brands to canola oil. The change has significantly reduced the amount of saturated fat in Bluebird Original Cut potato chips, Bluebird Thick Cut potato chips, Bluebird Twisties, Krispa Cool Crisps, Bluebird Poppa Jacks, Doritos, Aztec corn chips, Bluebird Rashuns, Bluebird Burger Rings and Bluebird Cheezels.
For some of the company’s iconic brands, the saturated fat content has been reduced by as much as 85%. PepsiCo New Zealand is committed to reducing the saturated fat, sodium and added sugars in PepsiCo’s products for Kiwi consumers.
General manager of PepsiCo New Zealand, Ali Hamza, said it was a significant reformulation milestone.
“We’re proud to be rolling out this change in New Zealand to many of our great snack brands like Bluebird and Doritos,” said Hamza.
“Consumer needs and preferences are changing, and Kiwis are more concerned about their health and wellness than ever before. Switching to cooking in canola oil for our major snack brands means more than 90% of our local snack portfolio now meets our global 2025 goal to reduce saturated fat in our products to no more than 1.1 grams per 100 calories."
The team has been making several changes to its portfolio, products and packaging to ensure the business can meet consumers’ needs.
“We’ve been working to reduce the amount of added sugars, saturated fat and sodium in our food and beverages, provide consumers with more nutritious options, ensure our products have clear ingredient labelling information and of course, meet the highest standards for food quality and safety.”
PepsiCo New Zealand is also in the process of rolling out the voluntary Health Star Rating on front of pack packaging for its Bluebird snack brands. Health Star Ratings will be on 44% of PepsiCo New Zealand snack products by early 2020 and we have plans to continue this roll out.
Kiwi consumers can expect to see the new potato chip and flavoured snack products on shelf starting mid-December through to early next year, while corn-based products will be on shelf by February 2020.
