In a bold move that signals a significant shift in snack food manufacturing, PepsiCo has announced it will eliminate all synthetic dyes from its popular Cheetos products sold throughout the United Kingdom. The decision marks a substantial reformulation of the iconic cheesy snack that British consumers have known for years.
The Colour Transformation
The most noticeable change will be in the product's appearance. The famously vibrant orange hue, previously achieved using artificial colourings like Sunset Yellow and Paprika Extract, will now be created using entirely natural alternatives. The new colour palette derives from radish and paprika extracts, providing a more natural appearance while maintaining the snack's distinctive character.
This reformulation affects all Cheetos varieties available in British supermarkets, including the classic Crunchy Cheese Flavour that has long been a lunchbox favourite.
Driving Forces Behind the Change
Several factors have contributed to this significant product overhaul:
- Consumer Demand: Growing public awareness and concern about artificial additives in food products
- Health Considerations: Increasing scrutiny of synthetic dyes and their potential effects
- Market Trends: The broader movement toward clean-label products and natural ingredients
- Competitive Pressure: Other snack manufacturers have already begun similar transitions
Industry Implications
This move by one of the world's largest snack food manufacturers represents a watershed moment for the industry. PepsiCo's decision to reformulate such an iconic product suggests that consumer preferences for natural ingredients have reached a tipping point.
Food industry analysts predict this will accelerate similar changes across the snack sector, with other manufacturers likely to follow suit in removing artificial colours from their products.
Consumer Response and Future Outlook
Early consumer testing indicates that while the visual appearance has slightly changed, the taste profile remains consistent with the Cheetos that British shoppers know and love. The company has assured consumers that the signature cheesy flavour and satisfying crunch will remain unchanged.
This reformulation represents part of PepsiCo's broader commitment to improving the nutritional profile of its products across global markets. The company has set ambitious targets to reduce sodium, added sugars, and saturated fats while increasing whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and proteins in its product portfolio.
The newly formulated Cheetos will begin appearing on British supermarket shelves immediately, with the transition expected to be complete across all retail channels within the coming months.
