New Coke is a formulation and a branding error that will live in infamy forever. People hate when you mess with their favourite brands. The tiniest change can make a big impact. It’s a move that can be absolutely devastating if it’s wrong, but it’s also a move that can be extremely profitable if done correctly. So it was with no small amount of hesitation that Frito Lay switched one of the major ingredients in its product line. Frito Lay made the decision to switch to a healthier high stability oil in its potato chip and corn snack lines. While it seems like a move that’s a no-brainer, any switch that has the potential to affect “taste” in product lines that rely on “taste” are heavy decisions. It’s also a big decision considering the company uses nearly one billion pounds of oil in North America per year. Nexera canola oil combines the health benefits of non-hydrogenated canola oil with the stability and long life of the hydrogenated oils while containing no trans fats and low saturated fat. So far, the healthy alternative has been well received by consumers.
I spoke to Steven James, Senior Director of Purchasing for Frito Lay parent company PepsiCo Canada about the decision to switch and what went into it.
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