Doritos and Cheetos dial back the bright orange in new versions without artificial ingredients

Miles Ruder, Associated Press,

Doritos and Cheetos are getting a makeover.

PepsiCo said Thursday it’s launching toned-down versions of its bright orange snacks that won’t have any artificial colors or flavors. Doritos and Cheetos Simply NKD will hit store shelves on Dec. 1.

It’s part of aΒ broader shift underwayΒ at PepsiCo, which announced in April that it would accelerate a planned transition to usingΒ natural colorsΒ in its foods and beverages. Around 40% of its U.S. products now contain synthetic dyes, according to the company.

Dye-free doesn’t mean Doritos and Cheetos Simply NKD will be colorless. Instead, they’re just a lighter color, like a tortilla chip.

Many other big food companies, includingΒ Kraft Heinz and General Mills, have made similar pledges. They’re feeling pressure from federal regulators andΒ U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who are urging companies to eliminate synthetic food dyes by next year.

States have also been taking action. Texas recently passed a lawΒ requiring warning labelsΒ for foods that contain artificial ingredients. Other states are moving toΒ ban or restrictΒ synthetic dyes.

PepsiCo has sold Simply brand Doritos and Cheetos without artificial dyes since 2002. But those products aren’t designed to taste like the original chips.

The Simply NKD versions are supposed to taste like the originals. But unlike the originals, they don’t contain petroleum-based dyes. They also have shorter ingredient lists.

For example, Simply NKD Doritos and Simply NKD Cheetos don’t contain the flavor-enhancing additives disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, which are found in the original versions.

β€œWe’re turning expectations upside down β€” removing artificial colors, not the flavor β€” and proving that unforgettable taste can be colorless,” said Rachel Ferdinando, the CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S., in a statement.

PepsiCo said the Simply NKD line will include flavors like Cool Ranch Doritos and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. The chips will cost the same as original varieties.

The company said original Doritos and Cheetos will also remain on the market.