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Wednesday, January 14, 2004 ![]()
NEW YORK — Snack foods
company Frito-Lay (search) said Wednesday it is introducing two new
types of chips to capitalize on the popularity
of low-carbohydrate diets (search).
The two new products, called Doritos Edge and
Tostitos Edge, will cut out 60 percent of the carbohydrates that are in
regular Doritos and Tostitos.
Frito-Lay, a unit of PepsiCo Inc. (PEP), has already eliminated trans fats from its
brands. Trans fats, which give products a longer shelf life, have been
linked to heart disease.
The new chips will use soy proteins and fiber as
substitute ingredients, the company said in a statement. Both Tostitos
Edge and Doritos Edge will have six net carbohydrates, 10 grams of
protein, and three grams of fiber.
The low-carb craze, popularized by the
high-protein Atkins diet (search), has food companies rolling out new products
to jump on the bandwagon.
Fast food chains McDonald's Corp. (MCD) and Burger King revamped their menus to cater to
customers counting their carbs.
The alcohol industry is also taking notice.
Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc.'s (BUD) low-carb Michelob Ultra beer has been a big
profit driver for the past year and Adolph Coors Co. (RKY) is rolling out Aspen Edge beer to take a
part of the health-conscious market.
Spirits companies such as Diageo Plc. (search) are using their advertising to point out
that many of their drinks have always been low carbohydrate offerings.
Doritos Edge is currently being tested in Phoenix,
and both products will be available across the United States in
May.
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