PepsiCo has introduced a new line of colorless snack products under the brand Simply NKD™, offering additive-free versions of its popular Doritos® and Cheetos® products. The launch includes four variants: Doritos® Simply NKD™ Nacho Cheese, Doritos® Simply NKD™ Cool Ranch®, Cheetos® Simply NKD™ Puffs, and Cheetos® Simply NKD™ Flamin’ Hot®.
The Simply NKD™ line features products that contain no artificial flavors or dyes and are visually colorless, while maintaining the original flavor profiles. According to the company, this launch responds to growing consumer demand for simpler ingredient lists without compromising on taste.
“Rest assured, our iconic Cheetos and Doritos remain unchanged. NKD is an additive option, not a replacement, introduced to meet consumer demand,” said Rachel Ferdinando, CEO of PepsiCo Foods U.S. “This move underscores our commitment to flavor leadership, demonstrating that our taste remains strong even without visual cues.”
PepsiCo states the new product line was developed in just eight weeks by its research and development team. The reformulated snacks aim to offer the same texture and flavor experience as the originals while removing added color and artificial ingredients.
“No color, no artificial flavors, same intensity — that’s Simply NKD,” said Hernán Tantardini, CMO of PepsiCo Foods U.S. “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 Simply NKD™ products are currently available at Walmart, with a broader retail rollout expected through 2026. PepsiCo emphasized that this initiative is part of a larger strategy to provide more consumer choice while preserving the identity of its flagship snack brands.