PepsiCo to Release Color-Free Cheetos and Doritos

Starting next month, PepsiCo will offer products like Cheetos and Doritos without artificial colors. In a recent announcement, the company detailed that on December 1st, customers can find “Simply NKD” varieties of Cheetos Flamin’ Hot, Cheetos Puffs, Doritos Nacho Cheese, and Cool Ranch in stores.

Rachel Ferdinand, CEO of PepsiCo Foods, emphasized that these new options are meant to complement the existing products, stating that they are “not a substitute.” She reassured consumers that the original Cheetos and Doritos will remain the same. Ferdinand noted that the Simply NKD range was developed to meet growing consumer demand, showcasing the brand’s dedication to maintaining flavor even without color enhancements.

The concept behind “Simply NKD” was developed in just eight weeks, as stated in the press release.

PepsiCo snacks are all about boldness. Doritos is renowned for its distinctive flavors, while Cheetos brings a playful twist. The Simply NKD™ line takes this spirit and extends it to provide beloved flavors without compromise.

Created from idea to implementation in a remarkably short timeframe, our skilled research and development team has pushed boundaries to create bold flavors free from colorants and artificial additives.

Reports indicate that Doritos traditionally contained artificial colors like Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Red 40, while Cool Ranch and original Cheetos also used similar additives.

Original Nacho Cheese Flavored Doritos included artificial colors such as Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Red 40. Cool Ranch products contained Blue 1, Red 40, and Yellow 5. Other variations had different artificial colors. Similarly, traditional Cheetos and Puffs used Yellow 6, while Flamin’ Hot Cheetos included both Yellow 6, Yellow 5, and Red 40.

This development from PepsiCo follows the company’s earlier commitment to remove artificial colors and flavors, as well as seed oils from its Lay’s and Tostitos brands.

Other major companies, like General Mills, Hershey, and Nestlé, are also making similar strides to eliminate artificial hues and flavors from their products in the near future.

In March, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed CEOs from various firms, including Smucker’s and Kellogg’s, expressing the desire to phase out artificial dyes from food items.