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PepsiCo Launches ‘Simply NKD’ Doritos and Cheetos Without Artificial Colors or Flavors

The rollout answers mounting pressure to phase out petroleum-based food dyes.

Overview

  • Preorders are live now, with Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch Doritos plus Cheetos Puffs and Flamin’ Hot hitting U.S. stores on Dec. 1.
  • The chips are a paler, corn‑chip yellow rather than bright orange, reflecting the removal of synthetic dyes.
  • PepsiCo says the taste matches the originals, which remain on shelves, and the NKD recipes carry shorter ingredient lists at the same price.
  • Formulas drop certain flavor enhancers used in legacy versions, including disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate.
  • PepsiCo presents NKD as part of an accelerated shift to natural colors as HHS and some states push companies to curb synthetic dyes.