“PepsiCo India Explores Sunflower Oil Blend as Potential Substitute for Palm Oil in Lay’s Chips”
PepsiCo India is reportedly undergoing trials to evaluate the viability of replacing palm oil and palmolein with a combination of sunflower oil and palmolein in Lay’s chips.
Palmolein, a liquid extract derived from refining palm oil, and palm oil, a semi-solid substance, are both sourced from the oil palm fruit.
A prominent snacks and beverages manufacturer in the United States, PepsiCo employs “heart-healthy” oils such as sunflower, corn, and canola oil in Lay’s products. According to information on their US website, the chips are fried in oils recognized for their heart-healthy attributes.
The initiative arises amidst growing concerns regarding the utilization of lower-cost and potentially detrimental ingredients in packaged foods in India, as reported by the Economic Times.
As per the report, a spokesperson from PepsiCo India stated that trials incorporating this blend into select products position the company as a pioneering entity within the Indian food industry.
Adverse Effects of Palm Oil: Palm oil is rich in saturated fats, which can elevate levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease. Additionally, some studies have linked palm oil consumption to heightened inflammation, which may contribute to chronic ailments.
Addressing Salt Content: PepsiCo India is also striving to reduce the salt content in its snacks to below 1.3 mg of sodium per calorie by 2025.
Numerous packaged food brands in India resort to palm oil due to its cost-effectiveness in comparison to sunflower or soybean oil. The starting price of Lay’s classic salted chips in India is Rs 10, rendering it one of the brand’s most economical offerings.
Recent Criticisms on Added Sugar: Nestle India recently faced scrutiny over the elevated levels of added sugar in its infant food product Cerelac, marketed in India and other developing nations, in contrast to its counterparts in developed markets like the UK and Germany.
Amidst the controversy, Nestle India asserted its commitment to reducing added sugars without compromising on nutritional quality, safety, or taste.
Regulatory Oversight: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated an inquiry into the matter and has vowed to take stringent action against Nestle if found culpable.
PepsiCo’s Nutrition Goals: PepsiCo has announced ambitious nutrition goals, aiming to significantly reduce sodium levels in its products. By 2025, the company aims for at least 75% of its foods to contain less than 1.3 mg of sodium per calorie.
Palm Oil Import Dynamics: India stands as the largest importer of palm oil globally, with the majority of imports originating from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. In the fiscal year 2022-23, India’s palm oil consumption reached 8.9 million metric tonnes. According to international trade data from TrendEconomy, India accounted for 23% of worldwide palm oil imports in 2022, followed by China, Pakistan, and the US.
