Is Siete Chips Clean?

The Short Answer

Siete chips earn a caution rating due to quiet ingredient changes and heavy metal concerns. While they are still vastly superior to conventional chips cooked in seed oils, their pristine "clean" halo is officially slipping.

In early 2025, PepsiCo finalized a $1.2 billion acquisition of Siete. Since then, the classic chip formula has shifted to include cheaper starches, and new flavors have introduced conventional dairy to a historically dairy-free brand. Combine that with independent testing showing elevated heavy metals in their cassava, and they are no longer an unconditional recommendation.

Why This Matters

Siete built a massive cult following by being the ultimate clean-swap for traditional tortilla snacks. They proved you could make an incredible chip without grains, dairy, or inflammatory seed oils. Chips No Seed Oils

But when big food buys mission-driven brands, the formula almost always changes. The introduction of a "cassava blend" with cassava starch dilutes the nutritional value of the chips. Whole cassava flour uses the entire root, while starch is highly processed, nutrient-stripped filler designed to lower production costs. Are Chips Bad

There is also a documented heavy metal problem. Because cassava is a root vegetable, it acts like a sponge for soil contaminants. Independent consumer lab tests in 2024 found elevated levels of lead and cadmium across multiple Siete cassava and potato lines. While this is a common agricultural issue with all root vegetables, it's something daily consumers need to actively monitor.

Finally, the brand's identity has shifted. Siete is no longer a guaranteed dairy-free or top-9 allergen-free company. Recent flavor releases quietly introduced organic cream and nonfat milk powders, meaning families managing allergies can no longer blindly trust the label. Healthiest Chips

What's Actually In Siete Chips (Sea Salt)

• Avocado Oil — A clean, heart-healthy fat that withstands high heat. Siete continues to use 100% avocado oil instead of the cheap, inflammatory canola or sunflower oils used by competitors. Oils In Chips
• Cassava Blend (Flour & Starch) — The newly modified base ingredient. The recent addition of cassava starch makes the chips cheaper for PepsiCo to produce but strips away the natural fiber found in whole cassava.
• Coconut Flour & Chia Seed — Clean, whole-food binders. These natural ingredients add trace amounts of structure and crunch to the grain-free dough.
• Sea Salt — A natural mineral source for flavoring. It provides sodium without the anti-caking agents found in conventional table salt. Salted Vs Unsalted Nuts

(Note: If you buy flavored varieties like Sour Cream & Onion, watch out for newly added dairy powders, which strip the brand of its vegan status.)

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• 100% Avocado Oil — No cheap seed oils. You won't find canola, sunflower, or safflower oil in any of their fryers.
• Grain-Free Base — Lowers glycemic impact. The cassava base remains a solid option for those managing inflammation or strict gluten sensitivities.
• No Artificial Dyes — Naturally colored. They skip the synthetic Red 40 or Yellow 5 found in conventional nacho chips. Are Cheese Puffs Bad

Red Flags:

• Cassava Starch — A highly processed filler. This recent addition under PepsiCo's ownership dilutes the quality of the original recipe.
• Heavy Metal Risks — Root-based ingredients absorb lead. Cassava and sweet potatoes naturally pull heavy metals from the soil, leading to failed independent lab tests in 2024.
• Hidden Dairy — No longer 100% vegan. New flavors contain milk powders, breaking the brand's longstanding dairy-free commitment.

The Best Options

If you want to stick with Siete, keep it strictly to the unflavored basics. If you want a cleaner alternative, here is how the landscape currently looks. Siete Vs Late July

The Bottom Line

1. Stick to the plain flavors. The classic Sea Salt variety is still miles better than standard grocery store chips, even with the newly added starch blend.

2. Read the allergen labels. If you are dairy-free or vegan, you can no longer blindly trust the Siete logo. Check the back of every bag for hidden milk powders.

3. Rotate your snacks. Because cassava easily absorbs heavy metals from soil, don't make cassava chips your daily go-to. Mix in other clean snacks like organic popcorn. Healthiest Popcorn

FAQ

Did PepsiCo change Siete's ingredients?

Yes, the formulas are shifting. Following the $1.2 billion acquisition finalized in January 2025, Siete changed the base of their classic chips from pure cassava flour to a "cassava blend" that includes cheaper, processed cassava starch.

Do Siete chips have lead in them?

Independent lab tests in 2024 found elevated heavy metals. Because cassava is a root vegetable, it naturally absorbs soil contaminants like lead and cadmium. While Siete claims to rigorously test their suppliers, third-party consumer testing has repeatedly flagged their cassava and potato products for concerning toxicant levels.

Are Siete chips still dairy-free?

Not all of them. While Siete built its reputation as a top-9 allergen-free company, recent flavor releases (like Sour Cream & Onion and Hot Honey) include conventional cream and nonfat milk powder. Is Jacksons Chips Clean

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