SunChips hears, heeds noisy bag complaint

Frito-Lay hopes to quiet complaints about its noisy SunChips bags by switching out the biodegradable bags for the old packaging on most flavors.

The company is switching back to original packaging, which is made of a type of plastic, for five of the six varieties of the chips. It will keep the biodegradable and recyclable bags for its sixth variety, its original plain flavor.

The snack maker said the switch started in the middle of September and should be complete by middle to late October. The bags were launched in April 2009 with a big marketing effort to play up their compostability because they’re made from plants and not plastic.

But that which makes them compostable also makes them loud. Groups on Facebook abound with names such as “I wanted SunChips but my roommate was sleeping” and “Nothing is louder than a SunChips bag.”

Associated Press