PepsiCo unveils clean-label Doritos, Cheetos Line  

USA – PepsiCo is launching a groundbreaking new line called Simply NKD™, featuring colorless and clean-label Doritos and Cheetos that contain no artificial flavors or dyes.   

This innovation is part of PepsiCo’s broader strategy to meet growing consumer demands and regulatory pressures for healthier, more natural snack options.   

The Simply NKD line will debut in December 2025 with four flavors: Doritos Simply NKD Nacho Cheese, Doritos Simply NKD Cool Ranch, and Cheetos Simply NKD Flamin’ Hot.   

These snacks maintain the bold flavors and crunch that fans expect but without the bright artificial colors traditionally associated with these brands.  

The decision to remove synthetic dyes such as FD&C Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5 follows a national push led by the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the White House’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, which aims to eliminate petroleum-based artificial dyes from the food supply.   

While the Food and Drug Administration has not banned these dyes, several states, including West Virginia, have enacted prohibitions, increasing pressure on manufacturers to reformulate.  

PepsiCo’s Chief Marketing Officer for Foods U.S., Hernán Tantardini, emphasized that the company is reinventing its iconic snacks to deliver the same flavor experience without artificial additives.   

Beyond launching these colorless snacks, PepsiCo is also working to reposition other key brands, such as Lay’s and Tostitos, as clean-label products featuring simple ingredients like potatoes, oil, and salt.   

This approach aligns with PepsiCo’s ambition to accelerate its transition to natural ingredients and better-for-you options across its portfolio.  

Additionally, PepsiCo is exploring the use of healthier oils, such as avocado and olive oil, in its snacks and expanding its protein fortification efforts.   

The company has also signaled plans to enter the liquid protein market, highlighting a commitment to innovation that addresses health and wellness trends.  

While some consumers may find the absence of the familiar bright orange color unusual, PepsiCo is betting on the growing consumer preference for transparency and cleaner ingredient profiles to drive acceptance of the new Simply NKD lines.   

The initiative marks a bold step toward transforming legacy snack brands to align with modern health priorities and evolving regulatory landscapes.  

PepsiCo releases holiday LTO snacks 

As 29.5% of holiday shopping is spent on seasonal holiday items, including food and snacks, PepsiCo Foods U.S. aims to bring flavor to every occasion, it says.   

From dessert-inspired snacks to nostalgic cereals, the special-edition offerings include: Lay’s Salted Caramel, PopCorners Cocoa Crunch, Smartfood Chocolate Caramel, Instant Quaker Oats Hot Cocoa, Life Hot Cocoa cereal, Cap’n Crunch Christmas Crunch, Grandma’s Snickerdoodle cookies, and Frito-Lay Variety Packs Winter Favorites & Chester’s Shop (which includes Smartfood White Cheddar, PopCorners Kettle Corn, and Simply Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs in a variety pack).  

Sign up to HERE receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.