PepsiCo Launches Dye-Free Doritos, Cheetos Snacks

PepsiCo announced Thursday the launch of a new line of Doritos and Cheetos snacks free of artificial colors and flavors, set to hit store shelves on December 1. The Simply NKD products, which maintain the original taste profiles while appearing in a pale yellow hue similar to plain tortilla chips, include Doritos in Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch flavors, along with Cheetos Puffs and Flamin' Hot varieties.

The initiative responds to growing consumer demand for cleaner ingredient options, according to company executives. "No color, no artificial flavors, same intensity. That's Simply NKD," said Hernán Tantardini, chief marketing officer for PepsiCo Foods U.S., in a statement. The new snacks were developed in just eight weeks by research and development teams, ensuring they deliver the same crunch and seasoning as the originals without petroleum-based synthetic dyes such as Red 40 or Yellow 6. Unlike previous Simply brand versions introduced in 2002, which differed in taste, the NKD line aims to replicate the iconic flavors exactly. It also features shorter ingredient lists, omitting additives like disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate found in the standard products. The...