PepsiCo to Introduce 'Simply NKD' Versions of Cheetos and Doritos Without Artificial Colors
In a bid to cater to the growing demand for healthier snacking options, PepsiCo is set to launch "Simply NKD" versions of its popular Cheetos and Doritos brands next month. The new lines will feature artificial flavors and dyes-free packaging, marking a significant shift in the company's approach to food formulation.
The move follows a push by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been advocating for the removal of synthetic food dyes from the nation's food supply. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had asked the industry to stop using artificial dyes, it did not go as far as banning them.
The "Simply NKD" collection will include four flavors: Doritos Simply NKD Nacho Cheese, Doritos Simply NKD Cool Ranch, Cheetos Simply NKD Puffs, and Cheetos Simply NKD Flamin' Hot. These new options will be available in stores starting December 1st, with the original versions of the snack still being sold alongside them.
According to PepsiCo Foods U.S. CEO Rachel Ferdinando, "NKD is an additive option, not a replacement, introduced to meet consumer demand." The company promises that the flavor profile of the new snacks will remain unchanged.
The decision to remove artificial colors from Cheetos and Doritos comes amid growing concerns over their potential impact on human health. Some studies have suggested that synthetic food dyes may contribute to hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and inattention in children, while others argue that they pose a negligible risk to public health.
Other companies, including Kraft Heinz, have already pledged to remove artificial dyes from their US products, with some states like West Virginia banning them altogether. While the FDA has not banned artificial dyes, PepsiCo's decision marks an important step towards reducing their use in food products.
Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, noted that "the health risks really pale in comparison with the health risks of the added salt, sugar, and fat in processed food." With this move, PepsiCo is taking a significant step towards addressing consumer concerns about artificial colors and flavors in its snack products.
In a bid to cater to the growing demand for healthier snacking options, PepsiCo is set to launch "Simply NKD" versions of its popular Cheetos and Doritos brands next month. The new lines will feature artificial flavors and dyes-free packaging, marking a significant shift in the company's approach to food formulation.
The move follows a push by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been advocating for the removal of synthetic food dyes from the nation's food supply. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had asked the industry to stop using artificial dyes, it did not go as far as banning them.
The "Simply NKD" collection will include four flavors: Doritos Simply NKD Nacho Cheese, Doritos Simply NKD Cool Ranch, Cheetos Simply NKD Puffs, and Cheetos Simply NKD Flamin' Hot. These new options will be available in stores starting December 1st, with the original versions of the snack still being sold alongside them.
According to PepsiCo Foods U.S. CEO Rachel Ferdinando, "NKD is an additive option, not a replacement, introduced to meet consumer demand." The company promises that the flavor profile of the new snacks will remain unchanged.
The decision to remove artificial colors from Cheetos and Doritos comes amid growing concerns over their potential impact on human health. Some studies have suggested that synthetic food dyes may contribute to hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and inattention in children, while others argue that they pose a negligible risk to public health.
Other companies, including Kraft Heinz, have already pledged to remove artificial dyes from their US products, with some states like West Virginia banning them altogether. While the FDA has not banned artificial dyes, PepsiCo's decision marks an important step towards reducing their use in food products.
Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, noted that "the health risks really pale in comparison with the health risks of the added salt, sugar, and fat in processed food." With this move, PepsiCo is taking a significant step towards addressing consumer concerns about artificial colors and flavors in its snack products.
it's about time they listened to our demands for healthier snacks, you know? i mean, we all know those artificial colors can't be good for us in the long run. i've been saying this for ages, but now pepsi co is finally taking action! 
and yeah, it's not just them, other companies are doing the same thing too, like kraft heinz. it's a great step towards reducing our intake of processed food that's loaded with added salt, sugar, & fat 
i'm excited to try out these new simply nkd flavors next month! can't wait to see how they taste compared to the original ones 
i think it's kinda cool that pepsi is listening to people's concerns about food dyes. some ppl think they can cause hyperactivity or other health problems, so i guess its a good move for them to go dye-free 
but at the same time, im not sure if i want to give up the bright colors lol 
. It's not just about the dyes, though - I'm all for less salt, sugar, and fat in our snacks 
. The FDA needs to take action on those other issues too 
. I love that this move is being driven by consumer demand - it shows companies are listening and adapting to what we want 
. Can't wait to try the new 'Simply NKD' flavors! 
especially with all the studies out there about artificial colors and dyes being super bad for our health. i mean sure they're not completely ditching them but at least now we have an option to still enjoy those chips without the added risks. and let's be real who doesn't love a good nacho cheese flavor? 
it's all about progress, folks!
so i think its dope that pepsi is finally listening to ppl who care about their health 
the whole added salt sugar and fat thing is like super obvious, but people dont talk enough about that 
i mean its not like theyre trying to completely revolutionize the snack game or anything 
but hey, more options for people who care about what they eat is better than nothing 
ill be curious to see if its a huge success 
But it's also good that they're listening to what consumers want - and in this case, people are willing to pay a bit more for dyes-free snacks. 
It's about time we see some real change in the way food is packaged and formulated. 
. still, i guess its a step in the right direction... or at least a slightly better option than eating actual food 
. And it's not just the snacking options - other companies are already removing artificial dyes from their products. I think PepsiCo is taking a positive step in listening to consumer demand 
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. But, like, what's the deal with the flavor profile staying unchanged? Can't they just tweak the recipe a bit to make it more natural? 
. I guess it's good that some states are taking matters into their own hands by banning them, though 
.
. It's like they're finally listening to what consumers are saying, you know? I mean, all these years people have been going on about the artificial colors and dyes in Cheetos and Doritos, and it's nice that they're taking steps to remove them.
. We still need more companies like PepsiCo to follow suit and make changes to their products. I'm not saying this is all bad news - removing artificial colors from snacks is a step in the right direction 
. However, we also need to be looking at the bigger picture here.