Is Siete Processed Food? A Deeper Look into Nutrition and Manufacturing

November 7, 2025 •

4 min read

In a significant market shift reflecting consumer demand for healthier options, PepsiCo recently acquired Siete Foods, a brand built on grain-free, transparently made snacks. However, the core question remains for many health-conscious consumers: is Siete processed food? and what does that mean for their overall nutrition diet?

Quick Summary

Siete products are classified as minimally processed due to their use of simple, whole-food-based ingredients and less extensive manufacturing compared to highly processed, conventional snacks. They are formulated to be a healthier alternative for various dietary needs.

Key Points

Minimally Processed: Siete products are considered minimally processed, not ultra-processed, as they use simple, recognizable ingredients.
Clean Ingredients: The brand focuses on clean, whole-food-based ingredients like cassava flour and avocado oil, avoiding artificial additives common in conventional snacks.
Healthier Alternative: Siete offers a healthier alternative to ultra-processed snacks for those on specific diets, such as grain-free, dairy-free, or gluten-free.
Better-Quality Fats: The use of avocado oil distinguishes Siete products from others that rely on less healthy, highly refined industrial vegetable oils.
Not a 'Health Food' Free Pass: While healthier, Siete's snacks should still be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, not as a core food group.
Independent Verification: The Environmental Working Group has rated many Siete products with 'low processing concerns', validating their approach to food manufacturing.

Understanding the Spectrum of Processed Foods

To accurately answer the question, "Is Siete processed food?," we must first define what processing entails. Food processing is not inherently bad; it ranges from simple actions like washing and freezing to complex industrial operations that create ultra-processed products. The NOVA food classification system is widely used to categorize foods based on their degree of processing.

The NOVA Classification System

Group 1: Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods: These are natural foods, like fruits, vegetables, eggs, and nuts, that have been minimally altered (e.g., washed, frozen) without adding extra substances.
Group 2: Processed Culinary Ingredients: This includes processed foods like oils, butter, sugar, and salt, which are derived from Group 1 foods but used in cooking.
Group 3: Processed Foods: These are relatively simple products made by combining Group 1 and Group 2 items. Examples include canned vegetables and simple breads.
Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods: These are the industrial formulations most people associate with unhealthy processing. They contain ingredients not typically used in home cooking, such as industrial fats, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial flavors and colors. This is the category most people seek to avoid for better health outcomes.

The Siete Foods Approach to Processing

Siete Foods' products fall firmly into the minimally processed or processed category, not the ultra-processed one. Their entire brand ethos is centered on using clean, simple ingredients to create healthier alternatives to traditional, grain-based snacks. The company achieves this by focusing on high-quality ingredients like cassava flour, almond flour, and avocado oil, and employing manufacturing processes that do not rely on a host of artificial additives.

Key Ingredients and Intentional Processing

Cassava and Almond Flour: Instead of conventional corn or wheat, Siete uses alternative flours. Cassava, a root vegetable, is minimally processed to be turned into flour, while almond flour involves grinding nuts.
Avocado Oil: Siete emphasizes the use of healthy fats like avocado oil, which is a significant departure from the often highly refined and processed vegetable oils used in conventional snacks.
Minimal Additives: Siete's ingredient lists are typically short and recognizable. The products are free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, which are hallmarks of ultra-processed items.

The processing that does occur is necessary to transform raw ingredients into a stable, ready-to-eat product, such as baking tortillas or frying chips in avocado oil. This is a fundamental distinction from the heavy-duty, multi-stage processing that defines the ultra-processed category. Independent organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have also classified many Siete products, such as their tortilla chips, as having "low processing concerns".

How a Nutrition Diet Is Influenced by Processing Levels

While the answer to "Is Siete processed food?" is technically 'yes,' the more important question is the degree of processing. Consuming a diet high in ultra-processed foods is linked to negative health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The convenience and palatability of ultra-processed foods often come at the expense of nutritional quality, with high levels of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.

In contrast, incorporating minimally processed items like Siete snacks can support a healthier diet. They offer satisfying alternatives that align with specific dietary needs, such as grain-free or gluten-free, without introducing industrial additives. A thoughtful nutrition diet focuses on balance, and substituting ultra-processed snacks with cleaner, minimally processed ones is a positive step. It allows individuals to enjoy their favorite foods, like tortilla chips, while adhering to stricter dietary goals.

A Comparison of Processing and Ingredients

To illustrate the difference, here is a comparison between Siete Tortilla Chips and a typical ultra-processed, conventional tortilla chip:


Feature	Siete Grain-Free Tortilla Chips	Conventional Tortilla Chips	Purpose & Impact
Processing Level	Minimally Processed. Involves cooking and forming whole-food ingredients.	Ultra-Processed. Involves refining corn flour, using industrial oils, and adding synthetic flavors and preservatives.	Siete's minimal processing preserves nutrient integrity and avoids harsh chemicals; ultra-processing creates a low-nutrient, highly palatable product.
Main Ingredients	Cassava flour, avocado oil, sea salt, coconut flour.	Corn flour, refined vegetable oil (e.g., corn, soybean), salt, artificial flavors, and preservatives.	Siete uses simple, clean, and recognizable ingredients; conventional chips use highly refined ingredients and additives.
Type of Oil	Avocado Oil. A heart-healthy fat with a better fatty acid profile.	Refined Vegetable Oils. High in omega-6 fatty acids, which can be inflammatory when consumed in excess.	Siete uses a higher-quality, healthier oil.
Additives	Very few to none. Rely on natural ingredients for flavor and stability.	Synthetic flavors, colors, and preservatives are common.	Siete's clean label means fewer synthetic chemicals are ingested.
Nutritional Profile	Contains some fiber (from cassava) and healthy fats.	Typically low in fiber and can be high in sodium and unhealthy fats.	Siete offers better nutritional value, though moderation is still key for a balanced diet.

The Final Verdict on Is Siete Processed Food?

Yes, Siete's products are processed, but they exist at the healthier end of the processing spectrum. They are not ultra-processed foods filled with industrial ingredients, artificial additives, and low-quality fats. Instead, the processing involved is aimed at creating safe, stable, and delicious products from simple, whole-food ingredients. For those seeking to reduce their intake of ultra-processed items, brands like Siete offer a compelling alternative that fits into a balanced and healthy nutrition diet. Making informed choices based on the degree of processing is far more beneficial than avoiding all processed foods altogether.

For more information on the health implications of processed foods, visit The Nutrition Source from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Siete tortilla chips are generally considered healthier than conventional corn chips because they are made with simpler, grain-free ingredients like cassava flour and cooked in healthier avocado oil, rather than industrial vegetable oils.

Processed food involves adding ingredients like salt, oil, or sugar, while ultra-processed food is an industrial formulation containing ingredients not typically used in home cooking, such as artificial additives, flavors, and industrial fats.

Siete uses avocado oil, a heart-healthy fat, because it aligns with their commitment to using clean, high-quality, and better-for-you ingredients in their products.

Yes, all Siete products are naturally gluten-free and grain-free, as they use alternative flours like cassava and almond flour instead of traditional wheat or corn.

Siete products are made to be free of common allergens like grains, dairy, and soy. However, customers with specific allergies should always check the ingredient list for the specific product and any potential cross-contamination warnings.

You can identify ultra-processed food by looking at the ingredients list. It will typically be long and contain many unfamiliar, industrially derived ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and hydrolyzed proteins.

Some Siete products, like their burrito tortillas, contain small amounts of added sugar, such as coconut sugar. It's always best to check the nutritional information on the specific product packaging.

Siete sits on the minimally processed end of the food spectrum, closer to fresh ingredients than ultra-processed industrial snacks, making it a better option for a healthier nutrition diet.