Is There Red 40 in Cheetos Puffs?

December 4, 2025 •

2 min read

While many assume the intense orange hue of all Cheetos comes from Red 40, the reality is more nuanced: classic Cheetos Puffs do not contain Red 40, though certain other varieties do. The signature color of the traditional cheesy puff is derived from another common artificial dye, leading to a critical distinction for consumers paying close attention to their snacks.

Quick Summary

Classic Cheetos Puffs primarily use Yellow 6 for their orange color, not Red 40. However, the popular Flamin' Hot Puffs variety does include Red 40 Lake in its seasoning blend.

Key Points

Classic vs. Flamin' Hot: Regular, cheese-flavored Cheetos Puffs do not contain Red 40, but the Flamin' Hot version does.
Classic Dye: The classic orange color of Cheetos Puffs comes from Yellow 6, a different artificial dye.
Spicy Dye: The intense red color of Flamin' Hot Cheetos Puffs is due to Red 40 Lake, listed in its seasoning blend.
Ingredient Check: Consumers should always check the specific ingredient list for the flavor they are purchasing to identify artificial colors.
Future Changes: PepsiCo, the parent company, has stated its long-term intent to phase out artificial dyes in some products, exploring natural alternatives like paprika.
Reading Labels: Since formulations vary by flavor, reading the ingredients is the most reliable method for determining the presence of Red 40.

Unpacking the Color Controversy

For decades, Cheetos have been a staple in snack aisles, with their distinctive bright orange color and satisfying cheesy flavor. However, with growing consumer interest in food additives, questions about the specific ingredients—including artificial colorings—have become common. The simple question, "Is there red 40 in Cheetos Puffs?" has a surprisingly layered answer that depends entirely on which flavor you're eating.

The Classic Cheetos Puffs: No Red 40 Here

Classic Cheese Flavored Cheetos Puffs do not list Red 40 or Red 40 Lake in their ingredients. The orange color primarily comes from Yellow 6, which is also known as Sunset Yellow FCF.

Flamin' Hot Cheetos Puffs: The Red 40 Connection

In contrast, Flamin' Hot Cheetos Puffs do contain Red 40 Lake in their seasoning blend, contributing to their fiery red appearance. This is a key difference for those avoiding Red 40.

The Bigger Picture: PepsiCo's Move Towards Natural Dyes

PepsiCo, Frito-Lay's parent company, is reportedly moving to replace some artificial dyes with natural alternatives like paprika and turmeric in certain products, including Flamin' Hot Cheetos. This is a multi-year effort, and products with artificial dyes are still widely available.

The Ingredients at a Glance

Here is a simple breakdown of the core ingredients and food coloring differences in the two main types of Cheetos Puffs.

Classic Cheetos Puffs: Contains enriched corn meal, vegetable oil, cheese, salt, natural and artificial flavors, monosodium glutamate, and Artificial Color (Yellow 6).
Flamin' Hot Cheetos Puffs: Contains enriched corn meal, vegetable oil, and Flamin' Hot Seasoning which includes maltodextrin, salt, sugar, Artificial Color [Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5], monosodium glutamate, and various flavorings.

Comparison of Cheetos Puffs Varieties


Feature	Classic Cheetos Puffs	Flamin' Hot Cheetos Puffs
Primary Flavor	Cheesy	Fiery Hot & Spicy
Color Additives	Yellow 6	Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5
Appearance	Bright, solid orange	Intense, bright red
Red 40 Content	No	Yes, as Red 40 Lake
Key Ingredient	Cheddar cheese seasoning	Flamin' Hot seasoning blend

Conclusion

In conclusion, the presence of Red 40 in Cheetos Puffs is not universal. Classic Cheetos Puffs use Yellow 6 for coloring, while the Flamin' Hot variety contains Red 40 Lake. Consumers concerned about artificial dyes should check ingredient lists, as formulations can vary by flavor and may change in the future due to industry trends like PepsiCo's move toward natural colors. For more information on food additives, consult resources like the Environmental Working Group or the FDA [https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/].

Frequently Asked Questions

Among Cheetos Puffs, the Flamin' Hot variety is confirmed to contain Red 40 Lake. Other products like Flamin' Hot Crunchy Cheetos and some Doritos also use Red 40.

Red 40 is a water-soluble dye, whereas Red 40 Lake is an aluminum lake pigment, which is an insoluble form. The 'lake' version is typically used to color fat-based foods, like the seasoning on Cheetos.

The orange color in classic Cheetos Puffs is primarily derived from Yellow 6, another synthetic food dye.

Yes, PepsiCo (Frito-Lay's parent company) has announced plans to transition many of its products away from artificial dyes in the coming years, though the process is ongoing.

No, Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) are different synthetic food dyes, though both are sometimes used in snack products. Flamin' Hot Cheetos Puffs, for example, contain both.

Concerns have been raised regarding Red 40 and other artificial colors, with some studies suggesting potential links to hyperactivity and behavioral issues in certain children. It is a topic of ongoing discussion and research.

The formulation may differ slightly by country. Canadian Cheetos Puffs use 'Sunset Yellow FCF' for coloring, which is the same as Yellow 6. It is crucial to check the specific ingredient label of the product you have.