UK: PepsiCo launches chickpea-based Walker’s snacks

Global snacks giant PepsiCo has announced it is diversifying its Walker’s snack bran Monster Munch and Wotsits with three new products made from chickpeas instead of corn.

Claimed to be a source of fibre, to contain fewer than 100 calories and to be 25% lower in salt than the typical extruded product, the range comprises Wotsits Cheese Toastie, Wotsits Crispy Bacon and Monster Munch BBQ Sauce.

Commenting on the launch, PepsiCo Europe head of portfolio transformation Karen Scott said: “We’re always looking for new ways to bring people a greater variety of products that include diverse ingredients while maintaining the trademark taste and quality Walkers is known for”.

“After years of continuously evolving our portfolio and working closely with our R&D teams, we’re excited to be launching our first chickpea-based product with three brand-new flavours of our popular Wotsits and Monster Munch classics”, she added. “We can’t wait to hear the feedback from consumers”.

The introduction of the new products follows PepsiCo’s £58 million ($73.5 million) investment in its Walkers factory in Leicester last year, which established a new production line and upgraded facilities to increase production.

Source: PepsiCo