PLANO, Texas (Reuters) - Snack food maker Frito-Lay North America said Tuesday it will eliminate trans fats from Doritos, Tostitos and Cheetos early next year and introduce reduced-fat versions of some of its snacks amid criticism from health officials over the nation's weight problems.

The company, the largest unit of Purchase, New York-based PepsiCo Inc., said it will launch Lay's Reduced Fat chips and Cheetos Reduced Fat snacks in the near future.

Food makers and restaurants have come under fire in recent months over Americans' health problems. About 69 million Americans are overweight and 51 million are obese, according to the American Obesity Association. Some class-action attorneys are looking to take on food companies and restaurants as they did tobacco companies, seeking billions of dollars in damages for health problems and deaths.

The fast-food company McDonald's Corp. (MCD: Research, Estimates) said in early September that it would cook its popular french fries in a new oil that cuts the type of fat linked to heart disease.

Frito-Lay said its Lay's and Ruffles potato chips have been prepared in trans fat-free oils for years.

Frito-Lay already has lighter products on the market, such as Baked Lay's potato crisps and Baked Tostitos tortilla chips.

PepsiCo (PEP: Research, Estimates) shares fell 30 cents Monday to close at $37.20.