How PepsiCo designed Doritos and Cheetos without the orange dust

"It's an experience almost everyone is familiar with: that moment after you've been mindlessly snacking on a bag of Cheetos, when you realize that your fingers are now coated in a gritty, fluorescent orange dust. The finger dust phenomenon is so ubiquitous that Doritos and Cheetos have each run their own ads centering on the topic. Now, PepsiCo is debuting a version of both iconic snacks that come sans artificial orange."

"For PepsiCo, the Simply NKD line is part of a larger effort to expand the company's focus on health and nutrition, as a growing number of customers (especially young people) become more invested in wellness. It also signals a broader trend across the snack and beverage industry, as major corporations rush to replace artificial food dyes amidst new legislation from the Trump administration designed to phase out certain artificial dyes."

"PepsiCo recently announced a product line called "Simply NKD," a new sub-category of Doritos and Cheetos that come with no artificial flavors or dyes, rendering them "completely colorless." The collection will include orange-dust-free versions of Doritos Nacho Cheese, Doritos Cool Ranch, Cheetos Puffs, and Cheetos Flamin' Hot, set to arrive on shelves starting on December 1."

PepsiCo announced a product line called Simply NKD, a sub-category of Doritos and Cheetos with no artificial flavors or dyes, producing completely colorless snacks. The collection includes orange-dust-free versions of Doritos Nacho Cheese, Doritos Cool Ranch, Cheetos Puffs, and Cheetos Flamin' Hot, arriving on shelves December 1. Simply NKD is designed to taste like classic Doritos and Cheetos while appearing less vibrant. PepsiCo already offers a Simply line without artificial colors or flavors in other flavor variants. The launch reflects PepsiCo's broader push toward healthier offerings and industry moves to phase out artificial food dyes.

Read at Fast Company