Defining 'Clean': What Does It Mean in the Food Industry?
Before answering, 'is Siete a clean brand?', it's essential to understand that 'clean label' has no single legal or regulated definition. Instead, it's a consumer-driven movement toward products with simple, familiar, and understandable ingredients, and away from artificial additives, preservatives, and synthetic chemicals. The perception of 'clean' often varies based on an individual's diet, including paleo, gluten-free, or whole-foods focused eating plans.
Siete's Ingredient Philosophy and Approach
Siete's brand identity is built on its origin story as a Mexican-American family's effort to create heritage-inspired, grain-free alternatives that tasted great and addressed a family member's health issues. The brand states its philosophy is centered on using 'thoughtfully selected ingredients' to foster inclusivity and well-being.
- Grain-Free Focus: The vast majority of Siete's product line is grain-free, using alternative flours like almond, cassava, and coconut. This is a core tenet that appeals to paleo and specific dietary communities.
- Avocado Oil: Siete emphasizes its use of 100% avocado oil for cooking and frying its chips, highlighting it as a healthier alternative to industrial seed oils like soy or cottonseed that are common in conventional snacks.
- Minimally Processed Ingredients: The brand's focus on recognizable, simple ingredients helps place many of its products in the 'minimally processed' category, a key metric for many clean eaters.
The Impact of PepsiCo's Acquisition and Ingredient Changes
In late 2024, PepsiCo acquired Siete Foods, a move that prompted a wave of questions and scrutiny from ingredient-conscious consumers. Following the acquisition, some users noticed subtle changes to ingredient lists.
For example, some report that cassava starch was added to certain chip recipes, a change from the previous inclusion of only cassava flour. While still derived from the same plant, flour is made from the whole root, while starch is a more refined extract. Other changes included adding various extracts, such as berry and oregano, to tortillas for freshness. While Siete maintains a 'cleaner' ingredient profile than most mass-market alternatives, these changes raised concerns for some consumers who are highly sensitive to processing or any ingredient additions.
A Comparison of Siete vs. Conventional Brands
| Feature | Siete Foods | Conventional Brands (e.g., standard tortilla chips) |
|---|---|---|
| Flour Base | Grain-free (cassava, almond, coconut, etc.) | Grain-based (corn, wheat) |
| Oil Used | Avocado Oil | Industrial Seed Oils (e.g., corn, soy, cottonseed) |
| Ingredient List | Generally shorter and more recognizable | Can be long, with complex additives and preservatives |
| Certifications | Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten-Free, Vegan options, Paleo | Often lacks certifications for clean eating attributes |
| Processing Level | Considered minimally processed | Many products are considered ultra-processed |
| Sugar/Sodium | Products may contain some added sugar or sodium, varying by item | Often high in added sugar, fat, and salt |
| Key Additives | Primarily uses familiar items; some newer formulations include extracts or gums | Frequent use of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives |
How to Determine if Siete is a 'Clean' Brand for You
The concept of 'clean eating' is highly personal. To decide if Siete aligns with your standards, consider the following:
- Read the Label: Siete is transparent about its ingredient lists. Before purchasing, read the label of the specific product you are interested in, especially since recent ingredient changes may vary by item. Look for ingredients that you recognize and are comfortable with.
- Evaluate Certifications: Siete offers numerous third-party certifications, such as Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten-Free, and options for Paleo and Whole30 diets. If these are important to your lifestyle, Siete meets those criteria.
- Consider the Parent Company: The acquisition by PepsiCo is a point of consideration for some consumers who prioritize purchasing from small, independent companies. While Siete's commitment to ingredient quality appears to be maintained, its future direction within a large food corporation is a factor for some ethically minded shoppers.
- Focus on Individual Products: Not all Siete products are created equal in terms of 'cleanliness.' Some products, like the Maíz Totopos corn tortilla chips, use organic corn, but the brand is not certified organic across the board. Meanwhile, the puffed snacks are certified Glyphosate Residue Free. By checking certifications and ingredient lists on a product-by-product basis, you can make an informed choice.
Conclusion: Siete is a 'Cleaner' Choice, But With Nuances
In conclusion, Siete largely operates as a 'clean' brand by common consumer standards. Its foundational commitment to grain-free, minimally processed, and thoughtfully selected ingredients, such as avocado oil and cassava flour, sets it apart from typical conventional snacks. The brand holds several third-party certifications that validate its ingredient promises, such as being Non-GMO Project Verified and Gluten-Free Certified. However, the nuances of the brand's 'clean' status come with recent ingredient adjustments following its acquisition by PepsiCo. For the average consumer seeking healthier, less-processed alternatives, Siete remains an excellent choice. For those with extremely strict clean-eating definitions, a careful review of individual product labels is advised to ensure it aligns with their personal standards.
The Final Verdict on Siete's Clean Status
For most people looking for a 'cleaner' alternative to mass-market options, Siete delivers on its promise of simple, understandable ingredients. It's a vast improvement over many traditional snacks containing artificial additives and industrial oils. The recent ingredient tweaks reflect the reality of scaling a food brand, and while worth noting for the most discerning shopper, they do not fundamentally compromise the brand's core clean-eating principles. Siete stands as a testament that healthier, more transparent foods can succeed in the mainstream market.
Why Siete is a Top Contender in the Clean Label Market
As consumers continue to prioritize health and wellness, brands like Siete have emerged as leaders by focusing on transparent and simple ingredient sourcing. The success of Siete demonstrates that it is possible to create delicious, high-quality snacks that also meet the criteria of a clean label. Beyond just ingredients, the brand's family-centric story and heritage-inspired approach resonate with shoppers who want to feel good about the food they buy and the companies they support. The attention to using high-quality oils and natural flours gives consumers confidence in their snack choices. While no packaged food is a substitute for whole, unprocessed foods, Siete provides a commendable bridge between convenience and conscientious eating. This is why many consider it a flagship brand in the clean food movement. For more details on clean eating principles, the Center for Science in the Public Interest provides useful guidelines: https://www.cspi.org/page/clean-labels.
