Frito-Lay Announces New Resources to Make Gluten Free Snacking a Cinch

PLANO, Texas, Aug. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division today announced the launch of a gluten free recipe section on its corporate website (www.fritolay.com) to help make snacking easier and more enjoyable for consumers with Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivities. The new recipe section on the company's website now features gluten free recipes that can be paired or made with Frito-Lay's gluten free snacks, such as Lay's Classic potato chips, Fritos Original corn chips and Tostitos Scoops! tortilla chips.

In May, the company announced a multi-year initiative to validate many of their products as gluten free, with labeling to follow. Frito-Lay developed a gluten free validation process with input from the Food Allergy Research and Resource Program (FARRP) for testing ingredients and finished products to ensure they contain less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten before making a "gluten free" claim. This level is in accordance with the limit set forth by the FDA in its Proposed Rule for Gluten Free Labeling (2007).

To offer its gluten free fans delicious recipes that include ingredients everyone will enjoy, Frito-Lay partnered with Recipe ReDux, a network of registered dietitians and healthy food bloggers. During National Celiac Disease Awareness Month in May, Frito-Lay sponsored a week-long recipe challenge asking Recipe ReDux members to develop gluten free versions of traditional appetizers and meals usually off limits to the Celiac Disease and gluten sensitive communities, and that incorporate at least one of Frito-Lay's gluten free products. Recipe ReDux members submitted mouth-watering recipes ranging from 'Blue Corn Chip Crusted Cauliflower Gratin' to 'Chocolate and Potato Chip Cookies' to 'Chicken Mexicano with Nectarine-Avocado Salsa.'

"We know gluten free eaters often feel their options are limited.  Frito-Lay hopes to bring some deliciousness to gluten free snacking. We're offering fans a variety of gluten free recipes and letting them know many of their favorite Frito-Lay snacks can still be a part of a gluten free lifestyle," said Danielle Dalheim, registered dietitian and associate principal nutrition scientist, Frito-Lay North America.

Frito-Lay also recently partnered with "Gluten Free Girl," Shauna James Ahern, to provide tips for gluten free living. Ahern founded the popular online resource 'Gluten Free Girl and The Chef' (http://glutenfreegirl.com) and offers daily recipes and gluten free lifestyle advice for the Celiac Disease and gluten sensitive communities.

"Many people I've spoken to over the years mistakenly believe they have to give up their favorite foods when they are diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity or Celiac Disease," said Ahern. "I'm glad companies like Frito-Lay are taking the time to responsibly validate their products as gluten free and going the extra step to provide fun alternatives to our favorite recipes."

Ahern, who has lived a gluten free lifestyle for seven years, offered the following tips to consider when eating gluten free:

1. Mix gluten free flours.  
   If you are new to gluten free cooking, buy a selection of gluten free flours, such as quinoa flour, rice flour or almond flour. Once you have run a few test-trials and get a feel for which gluten free flours you prefer, it can be fun to start experimenting with your own blends.
2. Fruit will always be your friend.  
   All fresh fruits are naturally gluten free. Ripe peaches, juicy strawberries and crunchy red apples are safe fallbacks and healthy choices to add to your diet.
3. Make your own trail mix.  
   Gluten free snack mixes can be costly, but planning ahead and making your own trail mix can save time, money and worry. Raw cashews, raisins, almonds, hazelnuts and dark chocolate chips are sure to hit the spot. Just remember to make sure your selections are certified gluten free to avoid any risk of cross-contamination.
4. Keep those chips you love on the grocery list.  
   Since many of Frito-Lay's snacks, such as Lay's Classic potato chips and Fritos Original corn chips, are made from simple ingredients like corn or potatoes, they are, and always have been, naturally made without gluten ingredients. Are many varieties of Tostitos snacks gluten free too? You bet.
5. Say yes to embracing your body the way it is.  
   If your body is built in such a way that you cannot tolerate gluten, don't fight it. Don't wish to be someone different. Embrace your body fully. You have no idea how much better you are going to feel once you begin eating a gluten free diet.

Recipes for gluten-free appetizers and meals paired or made with favorite Frito-Lay snacks can be founded at http://www.fritolay.com/recipes. Visit Frito-Lay's website, http://www.fritolay.com/your-health/us-products-not-containing-gluten-ingredients.html, for an up-to-date list of products qualified as gluten free.

Consumers can look for the gluten free designation on the back of qualifying bags of Frito-Lay snacks in either the form of a gluten free icon or the text, "Gluten Free."

About Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a digestive disorder triggered by intolerance to gluten, a generic name for certain types of proteins contained in the common cereal grains wheat, barley, rye and their derivatives. The only treatment is a lifelong adherence to a gluten free diet. Frito-Lay understands living with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities can present some challenges and is committed to educating consumers and health professionals about gluten free resources and providing options.

About Frito-Lay North America  
Frito-Lay North America is the $13 billion convenient foods business unit of PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. Learn more about Frito-Lay at the corporate website, http://www.fritolay.com, the Snack Chat blog, http://www.snacks.com and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fritolay.

About PepsiCo   PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader with net revenues of more than $65 billion and a product portfolio that includes 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. Our main businesses – Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola – make hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages that are loved throughout the world. PepsiCo's people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, which we believe also means a more successful future for PepsiCo. We call this commitment Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo's promise to provide a wide range of foods and beverages for local tastes; to find innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment by conserving energy and water and reducing packaging volume; to provide a great workplace for our associates; and to respect, support and invest in the local communities where we operate. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com. 

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SOURCE Frito-Lay North America