Goodbye Orange Fingtaers? Doritos and Cheetos Drop Dyes

PepsiCo is rolling out new dye-free versions of Doritos and Cheetos as part of a broader move away from artificial ingredients in U.S. snack foods.

The new line, called Simply NKD, removes synthetic colors and flavors while aiming to preserve the familiar taste of the original chips. The shift comes as federal regulators, including U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urge major food companies to eliminate petroleum-based dyes by next year.

Several states are also introducing warning-label requirements and potential restrictions on artificial colors, adding pressure on the industry.

PepsiCo says the new Doritos and Cheetos won’t be colorless, but their trademark neon orange will be replaced with a lighter, tortilla-like shade. Unlike earlier “Simply” versions launched years ago, Simply NKD chips are designed to taste like their widely recognized originals while offering shorter ingredient lists and no synthetic dyes.

The new line will include Doritos Nacho Cheese, Doritos Cool Ranch, Cheetos Puffs, and Cheetos Flamin’ Hot and will be available in U.S. stores beginning December 1. The original versions will remain on shelves.

The company emphasizes that demand for “clean-label” snacks continues to grow, prompting many major food manufacturers to reconsider how they formulate and market their best-selling products.