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

Pre-orders are open for the dye-free variants, with U.S. stores set to stock them Dec. 1 at the same price as existing chips.

Overview

  • The initial lineup features Doritos Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch plus Cheetos Puffs and Flamin’ Hot.
  • PepsiCo says the NKD versions are formulated to taste like the originals while omitting petroleum-based dyes and flavor enhancers such as disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate.
  • Company images show the snacks in a pale yellow hue rather than the brands’ signature bright orange.
  • Original Doritos and Cheetos will remain on shelves as PepsiCo accelerates a move to natural colors, with about 40% of its U.S. products still using synthetic dyes.
  • The rollout tracks federal pressure led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the U.S. food supply next year.