PepsiCo is shaking things up with its popular snacks, Doritos and Cheetos. Starting December 1, you’ll see new, lighter versions called Simply NKD, which won’t have any artificial colors or flavors. This change is part of a bigger move by PepsiCo to use more natural ingredients in its products.
According to the company, roughly 40% of their U.S. items currently contain synthetic dyes. But with Simply NKD, these snacks will be lighter in color, similar to tortilla chips, yet they’ll still deliver the same beloved flavors. Experts in food innovation have noted that this response to consumer demand for healthier options reflects a growing trend in the snack industry.
PepsiCo isn’t alone in this shift. Other food giants like Kraft Heinz and General Mills are also moving towards eliminating artificial ingredients, partly due to pressure from regulators like U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. States are joining in too, with Texas recently passing a law that requires warning labels for foods with artificial additives.
Interestingly, PepsiCo has been selling Simply brand versions of these snacks since 2002, but they haven’t tasted like the originals until now. The new Simply NKD snacks aim to capture that classic flavor without petroleum-based colors or complex additives like disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, which are found in the original recipes.
Rachel Ferdinando, CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S., emphasizes this change as a way to change our expectations, stating, “We’re turning expectations upside down — removing artificial colors, not the flavor.” The Simply NKD line will feature flavors like Cool Ranch and Flamin’ Hot, and they’ll be priced the same as the original snacks.
Consumer reactions are mixed; some are excited about healthier options, while others may miss the classic bold colors they’re used to. As this trend continues to grow, it’s clear that companies will have to keep adapting to meet changing tastes and preferences.
For more on the health impacts of synthetic dyes, you can check out FDA reports.
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