HOT STUFF We dissect a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto. (2024)

FAQs

Is red 40 in flamin hot Cheetos? ›

Many child-focused foods like chips and cereals contain these ingredients. Cheetos varieties, including the popular and spicy Flamin' Hot version, and other chips such as Doritos include colorings red 40, yellow 5 and yellow 6 – all on the list of ingredients that would be banned if the bill is enacted.

Flamin' Hot Cheetos actually do not contain any real chili peppers, but likely a blend of powder concentrate of chili peppers, seasoning, and spices. As such, they do not have an official Scoville rating. However, there is a way to estimate their spiciness on the scale based on the ingredients used in the seasoning.

Richard Montañez is often credited as the Frito-Lay janitor that came up with the idea for Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Born to a family of Mexican immigrants, Montañez climbed the corporate ladder to become a VP at PepsiCo.

The flavour blend is mostly chili powder or cayenne, with onion and garlic powder, cheddar cheese powder and MSG (a flavour enhancer), but what makes flamin' hot distinctive is its brilliant red colour — like red velvet cupcakes, it relies on plenty of red food dye, in powdered form.

Brands that use Red Dye 40 include Skittles, Doritos and Twizzlers. All food color additives, including Red Dye 40, require FDA approval. The agency says food dyes are safe when used in accordance with regulations, which stipulate types of foods they can be used in, maximum amounts and labeling requirements.

Cheetos, the beloved cheesy, crunchy snack, started its journey in 1948 with a salesman named Charles Elmer Doolin. Charles found a corn snack recipe from a local vendor and decided to create his own version. The name “Cheetos” was derived from the word “cheetah” and the Spanish word “chito,” meaning little.

Yes, according to a spokeswoman for Searchlight Pictures, the film's distributor. The character played by Dennis Haysbert was inspired by an employee at the plant where Montañez worked. The engineer died a few years ago, and his name was changed for the film.

After filming got underway, the Los Angeles Times published a piece revealing that most of Montañez's story was a complete fabrication, and that the executive had actually taken advantage of everyone involved in the creation of the new Cheetos being either retired or deceased.

Every Flamin' Hot Cheetos recipe (original, Lime, Puffs, and XXTRA Flamin' Hot) uses dairy products like cheddar cheese, whey, and buttermilk as part of their flavoring agents. So, unfortunately, this means that someone who is vegan would not be able to eat Hot Cheetos while adhering to their plant-based lifestyle.

Cheetos are manufactured by blending corn and water.

How old are hot Cheetos? ›

It's hard to imagine Frito-Lay's cheesy snack line without the brand's lip-burning Flamin' Hot Cheetos right in front. The spicy snacks, first released in 1991, have earned an enduring following. And we have janitor Richard Montañez to thank.

POTATOES, VEGETABLE OIL (SUNFLOWER, CORN, AND/OR CANOLA OIL), FLAMIN' HOT SEASONING (SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, CHEDDAR CHEESE [MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), CITRIC ACID, SUNFLOWER OIL, WHEY, SKIM MILK, NATURAL FLAVOR, MALTODEXTRIN [MADE FROM CORN), ARTIFICIAL COLOR (RED 40 LAKE, YELLOW 6 LAKE, YELLOW 5 LAKE), ONION ...

Blue #1, Red #3 and #40, Yellow #5 and #6 are among the unnatural ingredients perfect for making hot sauce “more appealing to the consumer.” These petroleum-derived chemicals are banned in some countries, though the FDA still considers certain ones to be safe here.

As a consumer, it is crucial to be aware of the presence of Red 40 in the products you purchase. This artificial colorant might be found in a wide range of processed foods, such as cereal, gelatins, puddings, dairy products, sweets, as well as baked goods, and various meats, as noted by the FDA.

Red 40, a common food dye, is indeed found in several flavors of Takis. This ingredient helps give Takis their vibrant, eye-catching color that matches their intense flavors. It's important to note that not all flavors of Takis contain Red 40.