PepsiCo on mission to dial up nutrition: Indra Nooyi

Nooyi, visited a traditional south Indian eatery has stir up a conversation on how to make familiar food healthy

As PepsiCo reshapes its portfolio to focus on health and wellness category, its Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi visited a local restaurant here to stir up a conversation on how to make familiar food healthy.

Nooyi, on a two-day visit to India, visited a traditional south-Indian eatery here with PepsiCo's nutrition ambassador Michelin star chef Vikas Khanna.

The two discussed plans and ideas for PepsiCo to make familiar traditional foods healthy as part of the company's aim to expand its offering to include whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Speaking about her experience and nostalgia of eating at a local eatery, she said, "As lifestyles continue to change, PepsiCo is on a mission to dial up the nutrition in our portfolio."

In April, she had stated that PepsiCo's trademark Pepsi soft drink account for just 12 per cent of the company's revenue as the US firm focuses on the health and wellness category.

"Chef Vikas has provided great inspiration for the company here in India and has played a key role in developing new recipes that are convenient, affordable, delicious and healthy," she said on Tuesday.

"We had a great time sitting down at a local eatery and enjoying some of my favourite traditional dishes, while exchanging ideas on how we can adapt these time-honoured recipes with a knowledge of nutrition informed by the latest science," she added.

Khanna said talk was on how health with taste in familiar Indian food can be combined.

"Indra's commitment and passion to drive its nutrition credentials at PepsiCo is stellar! It was fun to add nutritious ingredients like Oats and beetroot into familiar South Indian dishes for a special breakfast.

"I am glad that she enjoyed her experience and excited to know that some of these flavours will be hitting the Indian market soon through infusion of Quaker Oats and grains," he said.