Packaging for Cheetos Simply NKD Puffs, Cheetos® Simply NKD Flamin’ Hot, Doritos Simply NKD Nacho Cheese, Doritos Simply NKD Cool Ranch.

By Joe Lombardi From Daily Voice

Doritos and Cheetos are getting a new lighter look.

The company has announced the launch of Simply NKD, a new line of Doritos and Cheetos made without artificial flavors or dyes, hitting store shelves on Monday, Dec. 1.

Doritos Nacho cheese, left, pictured next to new Simply NKD Nacho Cheese, which debut on Monday, Dec. 1.

Doritos Nacho cheese, left, pictured next to new Simply NKD Nacho Cheese, which debut on Monday, Dec. 1.

Brielle Patton, D3 Studio via PepsiCo

Simply NKD offers the same flavors but with a cleaner, natural look. The new snacks are colorless, a stark contrast to the vibrant hues of classic Doritos and Cheetos. Despite the change, PepsiCo says the taste remains the same.

PepsiCo says the original, brightly colored versions of Doritos and Cheetos will remain on shelves alongside the new NKD options.

“Rest assured, our iconic Cheetos and Doritos remain unchanged," said Rachel Ferdinando, CEO of PepsiCo Foods US. "NKD is an additive option, not a replacement, introduced to meet consumer demand. More choices, same flavor, same brand power.”

The Simply NKD collection includes four flavors: Doritos Nacho Cheese, Doritos Cool Ranch, Cheetos Puffs, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. 

Doritos Nacho cheese, left, pictured next to new Simply NKD Nacho Cheese, which debut on Monday, Dec. 1.

Doritos Nacho cheese, left, pictured next to new Simply NKD Nacho Cheese, which debut on Monday, Dec. 1.

Brielle Patton, D3 Studio via PepsiCo

Unlike their brightly colored counterparts, the NKD snacks have a pale yellow, natural appearance and won’t leave colored residue on your fingers.

The launch responds to increasing consumer demand for snacks with simpler, more transparent ingredients. PepsiCo also aims to align with evolving food regulations, which are phasing out synthetic dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6.

“No color, no artificial flavors, same intensity — that’s Simply NKD,” said Hernán Tantardini, CMO of PepsiCo Foods US. “Doritos and Cheetos are pioneering a snacking revolution, or a renaissance, if you will.

"We are reinventing our iconic — and most famous — brands to deliver options with the bold flavors fans know and love, now reimagined without any colors or artificial flavors."

The new line took just eight weeks to develop, with PepsiCo’s research and development teams working to ensure the flavors stayed true to the originals.

Preorders for Simply NKD are available now before the Dec. 1 rollout.