Pepsi Says It Will Release Doritos and Cheetos Without Artificial Flavors
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This image provided by PepsiCo shows, from left, original Doritos Nacho cheese chips next to the new Simply NKD Doritos without artificial colors or flavors. (PepsiCo via AP)
By Zachary Stieber
11/13/2025Updated: 11/13/2025

Doritos and Cheetos without artificial flavors will become available in the United States on Dec. 1, PepsiCo said on Nov. 13.

The new versions of the popular snacks will be colorless and contain no artificial flavors or dyes, the company said in a statement.

The so-called naked versions have the phrase “naked of dyes” on the package and will be under the name “Simply NKD.”

The original versions of the products will also remain available.

“This move underscores our commitment to flavor leadership, demonstrating that our taste remains strong even without visual cues,” Rachel Ferdinando, CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S., said in a statement. “As part of our broader transformation, we are expanding choices while still protecting our iconic brands. More choices, same flavor, same brand power.”

PepsiCo directed people who want to preorder the chips to Walmart’s website, where bags ranging from 8 ounces to 9.25 ounces are being sold for $4.48. Shoppers at the same store can purchase a 9.25-ounce bag of original Doritos for $3 or a 14.5-ounce bag for $5.94.

Depending on the flavor, Doritos contains at least one food dye, such as Yellow No. 5 or Red No. 40. Cheetos is colored by Yellow No. 6. Both Doritos and Cheetos have artificial flavors.

The Food and Drug Administration allows nine artificial dyes in foods, although three of those are scheduled to be prohibited in the future under bans announced in late 2024 and in spring 2025.

Officials have also said they’re working with companies to voluntarily remove the other six artificial colors because of research that indicates they cause health issues, including hyperactivity.

Twenty companies and groups have pledged to eliminate color additives from some or all of their products, including General Mills and The J.M. Smucker Company.

PepsiCo executives told investors in April that the company was speeding up its shift away from artificial ingredients and that certain brands, including Lay’s and Tostitos, would no longer contain artificial colors by the end of the year.

“We understand that there’s going to be a probably a consumer demand for more natural ingredients, and we’re going to be accelerating that transition,” PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said at the time.

Gatorade, Mountain Dew, and Ruffles are among the other PepsiCo brands that contain artificial colors.

PepsiCo already sells Doritos, Cheetos, and some additional foods with no artificial colors under its Simply brand, but those versions are not supposed to taste exactly like the originals. The new Simply NKD versions are.

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Zachary Stieber is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times based in Maryland. He covers U.S. and world news. Contact Zachary at zack.stieber@epochtimes.com

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