Seeking to boost its appeal to health-conscious consumers, Frito-Lay Inc. plans to introduce “veggie” chips and fruit chips as early as next year, the company’s top executive said Wednesday.

Irene Rosenfeld, chief executive of the snack maker, said she was aware her company was part of the “raging debate” over whether food or fitness was at the heart of the nation’s growing obesity problem.

The company, owned by PepsiCo Inc., is investing heavily in developing healthier snacks and looking at launching chips made with vegetables and fruit, as well as extending its popular multigrain SunChips snacks line, she said.