
A noticeable change in flavor has been lamented by Australians in recent years, particularly amongst lovers of their cherished chips. The reason behind this alteration in taste lies in a simple ingredient switch – an oil change, to be precise.
The Smith’s Snackfood Company, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, is the producer of many beloved Australian snacks. It was in 2019 that the company reported its change to Australian canola oil. Brands including but not limited to Doritos, Tostitos Cantina tortilla chips, Twisties, Burger Rings, and Cheetos were impacted by this oil replacement. Smith’s highlighted that this change “significantly reduced the saturated fat content in snacks”, by almost up to 86%.
This follows on the heels of criticism last year, where Tasty Toobs, a popular snack, shrunk to half its original size, sparking a flurry of disappointment amongst committed consumers. Discussions were rampant on social media, where users hotly debated if the flavor profile of these iconic Toobs had altered, with comments ranging from likeness to tomato sauce, to complaints about them lacking the flavor of yore.
One particularly miffed Australian vented their grievances on Reddit earlier this year, bewildered by the noticeable change in formulation of their much-loved Tasty Toobs. Many speculated if it was simply a one-off bad production batch, with some even insisting that the new batches tasted different than before, and were less puffy.
Interestingly, several Reddit users pointed out the existence of two factories manufacturing Tasty Toobs, one located in Poland and the other in Australia. Fans of the snack expressed their preference for the Australian-made Toobs, citing superior texture and taste. A Smith’s spokesperson responded promising a push towards 100% Australian-made Toobs to be implemented by the end of this year.
New Zealanders have had similar complaints in recent years about Cheezels and Burger Rings, labeling them as “stale” and “brittle”. People hypothesized that the use of inferior quality cheese was the culprit, while the company attributed the changes to the oil switch.
Danny Celoni, the chief executive of PepsiCo ANZ, stated that the usage of Australian canola oil was widespread within the company, helping them achieve their health objectives. He affirmed that Smith’s chips began utilizing Australian canola oil in 2018, and expressed his pride that this shift extended to other successful snack brands such as Doritos and Twisties.
According to Celoni, the switch ensures that the saturated fat content in more than 90% of the company’s Australian snack portfolio is limited to a maximum of 1.1 grams per 100 calories. He emphasized that the company has been progressively making changes to satisfy the shifting needs and preferences of consumers, who are growing increasingly health-conscious. Meanwhile, the shift to Aussie canola oil is also a boon for local farmers.