Just in time for the Super Bowl, Frito-Lay has introduced a new chip, Tostitos Hint of Guacamole.
Ever curious reader HMC wrote to us after checking the ingredients statement having discovered there wasn’t even a hint of real guacamole listed:
*MOUSE PRINT:
Corn, Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola, and/or Sunflower Oil), Maltodextrin (Made from Corn), Salt, Natural Flavors, Whey, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Cream, Spices, Sour Cream (Cultured Cream, Skim Milk), Tomato Powder, Jalapeño Pepper, Maltodextrin (Made from Tapioca), Cheddar Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Butter (Cream, Salt), Artificial Color (Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake), Swiss Cheese (Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), and Artificial Flavors.
In the bottom left hand corner of the bag, nowhere near the Hint of Guacamole product name, there is a small disclosure.
*MOUSE PRINT:
Unfortunately for shoppers, this disclosure is so low down on the bag (in line with the net weight statement), that it likely gets folded under the product as it sits on store shelves.
We asked Frito-Lay twice if the guacamole flavor in the product is real or artificial and if the green specs on the chips are guac flavor or merely decoration. The company didn’t respond… and that probably says a lot.
Why am I not surprised?
Unlike “Baked Potato”, Guacamole is a flavor the average consumer could reasonably believe is contained in this chips. They’re obviously going for people having the assumption it has guacamole in it, if not, why hide the disclosure way at the bottom of the bag?
Consuming junk food and expecting reality. Har-dee-har-har.
I imagine a class action lawsuit resulting in coupons for free bags of chips is coming
More likely 15% off coupons.
Well Natural Flavors could be the so called Guacamole flavor although I say it should be fully listed in the ingredients list.
It’s obviously an artificial flavor as it’s stated twice on the label, and there’s no avocado listed in the ingredients. The reason for that is it’s a laboratory-simulated flavor, created by top chemists with degrees in food science. The upcoming organic designation should be particularly interesting /s.
I would like to see the groceries in a Chemist’s kitchen ! LOL Could be very interesting.
Here’s a hint for Frito-Lay; I might buy another brand of plain chips and a pack of individual size real guacamole…and I think a boycott would be a good idea.