Sun Chips

SunChips
Product typeChips
OwnerPepsiCo
Produced byFrito-Lay
CountryUnited States
Introduced1991; 33 years ago (1991)
MarketsWorldwide
Tagline"Deliciousness for all"[1]
Websitesunchips.com

Sun Chips is a brand of fried grains,[2] rippled, multigrain chips launched in 1991 and produced by Frito-Lay.

Flavors

Permanent flavors include Original, Harvest Cheddar, French Onion, Chili Lime, Garden Salsa, and Sweet & Spicy BBQ.[3] In 2016, two Veggie Harvest flavors were added, Farmhouse Ranch and Tomato, Basil and Cheese that include vegetables.[4] Limited edition flavors have included Cinnamon Crunch early in 2007 (the flavor is still produced as a seasonal item in the US, reappearing near the end of the year for the holidays), as well as Honey Graham and Apple 'n Caramel in 2009.[5]

Internationally, other flavors have been introduced. An example includes bulgogi in South Korea.

On March 29, 2024, a flavor of Sun chips titled Solar Eclipse was announced, in promotion of the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse on April 8. The variation will only be purchasable through a contest on a website, and will only be able to be purchased during the eclipse.

Pork enzymes

In the past, some Frito-Lay brand seasoned products, including some flavors of Sun Chips, contained pork enzymes in addition to herbs, cheese, and other seasonings. Frito-Lay's web site[6] states that they use enzymes from pigs (porcine enzymes) in some of their seasoned snack products to develop "unique flavors". The presence of pig-derived ingredients made them haram (forbidden) for Muslims, not kosher for Jews, and not vegetarian. As of April 5, 2011, Frito-Lay's online list "U.S. Products Made Without Pig (Porcine) Enzymes" catalogs nine flavors of Sun Chips "made and distributed in the U.S." that do not contain porcine enzymes.[6]

Compostable bags

In April 2008, Frito Lay introduced compostable packaging for the SunChips product line.[7] The bag is made of plant-based material. It will break down within 14 weeks in a hot, active compost pile.[8]

Noise complaints

In October 2010, Frito-Lay stated that the compostable package would be pulled back in the United States. The bag created excessive noise when held or wrinkled, which led to complaints.[9] In response to various complaints, Frito Lay announced that they would only use the compostable bag for original flavor chips from the SunChips US line moving forward. The other US flavors will use traditional SunChips packaging.[7]

Second attempt

On February 24, 2011, Frito Lay announced that they were releasing a new, quieter biodegradable bag starting with the Original Sun Chip brand.[10] Closely resembling traditional bags, the compostable packaging uses adhesives sandwiched between the outer and inner layers of the bag to substantially reduce the excessive noise.[11] Current bags are not labeled as compostable, as of 2015.

Popularity

Parent corporation PepsiCo reported that sales of SunChips had declined by double-digit percentages annually from 2011 to 2014.[12][13] More recent figures in early 2023 have shown the product to have experienced double digit revenue growth.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Sun Chips Slogan". Slogan List. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. ^ Frito-Lay North America, Inc. "Frito-Lay: Baked VS. Fried". Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
  3. ^ Hooper, Michael (November 20, 2006). "Frito Lay to expand, add 50 jobs". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
  4. ^ "What can Pepsico's Q2 results tell us on the savory snacks market?". Potato Pro. 11 July 2016.
  5. ^ "Hitting the Shelves - April 2007".
  6. ^ a b "U.S. Products Made Without Pig (Porcine) Enzymes". Archived from the original on 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
  7. ^ a b Fredrix, Emily. "Hush! Frito-Lay to Pull Most Noisy SunChips Bags". Associated Press. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Why make a better bag?". Frito Lay North America Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-04-27. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
  9. ^ Vranica, Suzanne (6 October 2010). "Sun Chips Bag to Lose Its Crunch". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  10. ^ "SunChips Silences Its Earsplitting Bio-Bag". fastcompany.com. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
  11. ^ "SunChips". Frito Lay.
  12. ^ "PepsiCo, Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012". PepsiCo, Inc. p. 54. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  13. ^ "PepsiCo, Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014". PepsiCo, Inc. p. 57. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
  14. ^ Gelski, Jeff. "Frito Lay Market Share Increases". Baking Business.com. Sosland Publishing Co. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
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