Several of America’s favorite snacks have undergone a makeover, as manufacturers begin to eliminate the use of artificial ingredients. The new stripped-back versions of Doritos and Cheetos have begun to appear on shelves at Walmart in white packaging rebranded as “Simply NKD” — meaning “simply naked” to show that they are versions stripped of artificial flavors and dyes. Inside, the Doritos are now a faded yellow, and the Cheetos are nearly white instead of their usual red and orange hues. PepsiCo said the texture and taste of the snacks remains the same and hopes to soon roll them out to more stores. Many people have taken to social media to celebrate the new snacks, saying they taste identical to the additive-laden versions and have a “delightful, crunchy texture.” Others have been less thrilled with the new snacks, pointing out that the new Doritos taste nothing like the old version, leaving a “gross taste in the mouth afterwards.” The new versions are retailing at the same price as the originals, at just under $4 per bag, and are being sold alongside them rather than as a replacement.
