PepsiCo has announced the release of a new line of Cheetos and Doritos without artificial petroleum-based dyes, marking a shift in its product development strategy. The company introduced Simply NKD, a collection of snacks that retains familiar flavors but features shorter ingredient lists and a pale yellow appearance instead of the vibrant colors traditionally associated with these products.
Rachel Ferdinando, CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S., emphasized that NKD is an additive option, not a replacement, designed to meet consumer demand while maintaining the integrity of iconic brands. “This move underscores our commitment to flavor leadership, demonstrating that our taste remains strong even without visual cues,” she stated, highlighting the company’s broader transformation efforts.
The new snacks will include Doritos in Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese, and Cheetos in Puffs and Flamin’ Hot, with the promise of tasting like the original versions despite the absence of flavor-enhancing ingredients such as disodium inosinate and dis sodium guanylate. The products are set to become available in stores on December 1.
PepsiCo joins a growing trend of food companies phasing out artificial ingredients, including In-N-Out, Tyson Foods, Kraft Heinz, and McCormick, following the FDA’s ban of Red No. 3 prior to Trump’s second term. The initiative aligns with efforts to improve food healthiness, as noted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who encouraged other companies to follow suit in expanding the use of avocado and olive oil over canola and soybean oil.
