Walkers cuts salt by nearly half in classic crisp flavours

Walkers has cut salt by 47% across a wide range of its most popular crisps, including Salt & Vinegar, Prawn Cocktail and Smoky Bacon, in a significant recipe overhaul. The reformulated flavours are now HFSS-compliant (high in fat, salt and sugar), showing that big brands can keep their taste while making healthier choices easier for everyone.

The changes are the result of years of development by owner PepsiCo’s R&D team, who rebalanced seasoning to deliver “the same classic Walkers crisps people know and love, with lower salt”. Other flavours getting the healthier makeover include BBQ, Roast Chicken and Pickled Onion, while they aim for Cheese & Onion and Ready Salted to follow once the recipes are “absolutely right”.

Walkers has also unveiled two new globally inspired non-HFSS flavours: Sticky Teriyaki and Masala Chicken developed after a reported year of testing.

This move supports Walkers’ pledge to make 50% of its snack sales from products that are non-HFSS or under 100 calories by 2025.

Kate Howard, Recipe for Change Campaign Coordinator says:

We very much welcome this step, which proves that companies can reduce salt without losing the taste people love. This is crucial to help tackle the UK’s excessive salt consumption, a key driver of high blood pressure and heart disease. Now it’s time for other food companies to follow suit and show that healthier recipes can be just as delicious.

Watch our taste test video where young people prove that less salt and sugar in our snacks doesn’t have to be less tasty!

Find out more about the campaign