PepsiCo Reveals Plans for Efficient "Designer Salt"

First Lady Michelle Obama is spearheading a national movement to reduce salt, sugar, and fat levels in manufactured foods, and similar campaigns to curb obesity and promote healthier foods are on the rise, globally. In response to these pressures, PepsiCo Inc. (Plano, TX) has announced its commitment to reducing the average sodium content in its products by 25% by 2015, among other news.

PepsiCo also announced its newest scientific innovation, which may drastically change the sodium content of its Lay’s potato chips.

PepsiCo’s scientists have reportedly succeeded in manipulating salt crystals in such a way that fewer salt crystals are required to experience the same sensation of saltiness on the tongue.

“It became apparent to us that, in fact, the majority of salt on a snack that you ingest in your mouth doesn't even have time to dissolve in your saliva,” said PepsiCo senior vice president and chief scientific officer Mehmood Khan, MD, at an investor conference in New York last month. “This was an opportunity for our scientists because if we could figure out a way of getting salt crystals to dissolve faster, then you could actually decrease the amount of salt you put on a snack, and yet not compromise in any way on the taste.”

The company has yet to announce a date when its new “designer salt” will be introduced to the market.