Are the dyes in US Doritos only there because the FDA doesn't require Europe's warning label?

What We Found

True: US Doritos Nacho Cheese lists Red 40, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. European Nacho Cheese (France, Netherlands) is colored with paprika extract, annatto and plain caramel.

The EU doesn't ban these dyes. E102, E110 and E129 are legal there, but the label has to say "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" (Reg. 1333/2008, Annex V).

"Only because" leaves out other reasons. Synthetic dyes are usually cheaper, brighter and more stable. Natural colors can cost more and fade.

US rules are changing. The FDA is asking industry to drop these dyes voluntarily, Red 3 has been revoked, and California bans them in public-school food from Dec 31, 2027.

PepsiCo has sold dye-free Doritos Simply NKD since Nov 2025. Regular Doritos are unchanged.

Sources

1. PepsiCo/Frito-Lay label, Doritos Nacho Cheese (US) (opens in new tab)
2. PepsiCo/Frito-Lay label, Doritos Nacho Cheese (US, second size) (opens in new tab)
3. Doritos France, Nacho Cheese ingredients (opens in new tab)
4. PepsiCo Netherlands, Doritos Nacho Cheese (opens in new tab)
5. Doritos UK, Tangy Cheese (opens in new tab)
6. Tesco, Doritos Tangy Cheese 180 g (opens in new tab)
7. EU Regulation 1333/2008 (Art. 24, Annex V), EUR-Lex (opens in new tab)
8. Same regulation, Annex V (UK retained text) (opens in new tab)
9. FDA, Apr 22, 2025 dye phase-out announcement (opens in new tab)
10. FDA, industry pledge tracker (opens in new tab)
11. FDA, FD&C Red No. 3 revocation (opens in new tab)
12. California AB 2316 (2024) (opens in new tab)
13. PepsiCo, Simply NKD launch (Nov 2025) (opens in new tab)
14. USA Today, Apr 28, 2025 (PepsiCo: Lay's and Tostitos drop artificial colors by end of 2025) (opens in new tab)
15. Reuters, Jul 17, 2025 (opens in new tab)
16. Food Colour Additives review (PMC) (opens in new tab)
17. Natural Food Colorants review (PMC) (opens in new tab)