Cheetos is recognized around the world as one of the top snack food brands. They bring in billions in sales for PepsiCo, the parent company of the manufacturer, Frito-Lay.
In this article, we’ll cover the different kinds of Cheetos and the dyes used in each snack food, if any. Here is what you need to know about Cheetos and red dye.
Do Cheetos Contain Red Dye?
In short, some Cheetos products have red dye whereas others do not.
You can determine if Cheetos have red dye by reviewing their ingredients. Frito-Lay is required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to disclose the dyes used in its food in the ingredients. You should review the ingredients on the actual product packaging for the most accurate and up-to-date information including any dyes used in it such as Red 40.
The above being said, we reviewed the ingredients for the various Cheetos products to determine if any had red or other dyes in them. As you can see below, many products contain red dye, particularly the Flamin’ Hot varieties. Various yellow dyes are also frequently used in Cheetos.
The red dyes used in Cheetos are Red 40 and Red 40 Lake. Both are synthetic dyes that are approved for consumption by the FDA.
| Cheetos Product | Dye Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Crunchy | |
| Crunchy | Yellow 6 |
| Crunchy Flamin’ Hot | Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5 |
| Crunchy Flamin’ Hot Limón | Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5 |
| XXTra Flamin’ Hot | Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5 |
| Crunchy Cheddar Jalapeño | Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40 |
| Flamin’ Hot Tangy Chili Fusion | Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake |
| Puffs | |
| Cheese Puffs | Yellow 6 |
| Flamin’ Hot Puffs | Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5 |
| Paws | Yellow 6 |
| Bolitas | Yellow 5 Lake, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6 Blue1 Lake |
| White Cheddar Bites | None |
| Simply Puffs | |
| White Cheddar | None |
| White Cheddar Jalapeño | None |
| Crunchy White Cheddar | None |
| Baked | |
| Crunchy Cheese | Yellow 6 |
| Crunchy Flamin’ Hot | Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5 |
| Popcorn | |
| Cheddar | Yellow 6 |
| Flamin’ Hot | Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5 |
| Cheddar Jalapeño | Yellow 6 |
| Fantastix | |
| Chili Cheese | Yellow 5, Yellow 6 |
| Flamin’ Hot | Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6 |
SEE ALSO>>>Do M&M’s Have Red Dye 40? (Answered)
Is Red Dye Safe?
The FDA approves each synthetic dye used in foods and has deemed them safe for consumption. A U.S. food manufacturer cannot go out on their own an add an unapproved synthetic dye its foods. The FDA regulates the type of foods & beverages a particular color additives can be used in, the maximum amount that can be used, and how the dye should appear in the list of ingredients.
Despite synthetic dyes being regulated, there are health concerns of note that are purportedly associated with these dyes . Some of the risks that may be linked with consuming artificial dyes are hypersensitivity in children, allergic reactions, and increased inflammation.
For additional information on the safety of red or other dyes in foods, we suggest reading the following articles as a starting point:
