DALLAS — Kazoo Snacks, the world’s first water-saving tortilla brand, has released its tortilla chips as the latest innovation to join the upcycled food movement.
Every bag of Kazoo Tortilla Chips is made using 40% upcycled corn germ, repurposed from the US’s massive corn starch industry which produces germ as a by-product. Reclaiming and upcycling reduces the company’s water footprint by at least 20 gallons of water per bag.
Traditional tortilla chip companies use 100% virgin growth corn, but Kazoo Snacks uses corn primarily harvested from generational farms in Iowa, which undergoes a proprietary manufacturing process. By reclaiming and upcycling corn germ that would have otherwise gone to animal feed, the company gets more out of each corn harvest and saves water along the way.
“Kazoo Snacks exists to provide consumers with great-tasting snacks that also save water,” said Joshua Death, founder of Kazoo Snacks. “In 2020 alone, the US consumed 1 million tons of tortilla chips. It currently takes 180 billion gallons of water to grow enough corn to meet this demand. That’s a lot of corn, and even more water. The Kazoo approach would save 57 billion gallons of US freshwater per year.”
For this reason, Kazoo Snacks is on a mission to conserve 1 billion gallons of fresh water by 2025.
"In 2020 alone, the US consumed 1 million tons of tortilla chips. It currently takes 180 billion gallons of water to grow enough corn to meet this demand.” —Joshua Death, founder, Kazoo Snacks
Kazoo Snacks’ sustainable tortilla chips are available in Restaurant Style, Bite-sized and Lime Zest varieties, all of which are vegan, kosher and gluten-free. With 140 calories per serving, each handful packs a nutrition punch with fiber, calcium, potassium and 100% natural ingredients.
Kazoo Snacks is available to purchase at $4.99 per 11-z. bag at Hy-Vee and Market of Choice. Starting this fall, Kazoo will also be available in Whole Foods locations throughout Northern California and through Amazon.com. For more information about Kazoo Snacks, visit the company’s website.
