Lay's WOW chips
Encyclopedia
Lay's WOW Chips were fat free potato chips produced by Frito-Lay
containing olestra
. They were first introduced in 1998. Although initially popular, charting sales of $400 million in their first year, subsequently dropped to $200 million by 2000. This was largely due to possible unpleasant side effects such as stomach cramps, diarrhea
, and anal leakage. Warnings were required to be included on the packaging, with the WOW bag bearing a warning that read, "This Product Contains Olestra. Olestra may cause abdominal cramping and loose stools. Olestra inhibits the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E, and K have been added." In 2003, the FDA no longer required the warning as modifications had all but eliminated the risks. Around the same time, the WOW brand was renamed to "Light."
Frito-Lay
Frito-Lay North America is the division of PepsiCo that manufactures, markets and sells corn chips, potato chips and other snack foods. The primary snack food brands produced under the Frito-Lay name include Fritos corn chips, Cheetos cheese-flavored snacks, Doritos and Tostitos tortilla chips,...
containing olestra
Olestra
Olestra is a fat substitute that adds no fat, calories, or cholesterol to products. It has been used in the preparation of traditionally high-fat foods such as potato chips, thereby lowering or eliminating their fat content...
. They were first introduced in 1998. Although initially popular, charting sales of $400 million in their first year, subsequently dropped to $200 million by 2000. This was largely due to possible unpleasant side effects such as stomach cramps, diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, and anal leakage. Warnings were required to be included on the packaging, with the WOW bag bearing a warning that read, "This Product Contains Olestra. Olestra may cause abdominal cramping and loose stools. Olestra inhibits the absorption of some vitamins and other nutrients. Vitamins A, D, E, and K have been added." In 2003, the FDA no longer required the warning as modifications had all but eliminated the risks. Around the same time, the WOW brand was renamed to "Light."