Chloe Zhang
Cheetos are a crunchy corn-cheese puff snack made by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. They were invented in 1948 by Charles Elmer Doolin and are now sold in over 36 countries. Despite containing a number of artificial ingredients, Cheetos do not contain plastic or any plastic compounds. However, a YouTube user, Andrés Juárez Ramos, sparked a debate by comparing the texture, taste, and smell of Cheetos to polystyrene pieces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic in Cheetos | No plastic or plastic compounds in the ingredients |
| Similarity to Polystyrene | Identical in texture, taste, smell, and combustion process |
| Ingredients | Enriched cornmeal, cheese seasoning, whey, yellow 6, vegetable oil, vitamin B, sugar, salt, MSG |
| Production | Heated and fried enriched cornmeal coated in cheese seasoning |
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What You'll Learn
Cheetos ingredients and composition
Cheetos are a popular cheese snack, with a wide variety of flavours and ingredients. The original Crunchy Cheetos are made from enriched cornmeal, which is heated and fried, and then coated in a cheese seasoning. This cheese seasoning includes whey, yellow 6, vegetable oil, vitamin B, sugar, salt, and MSG. The cornmeal is enriched with ferrous sulfate, which is a common replacement for the nutrients lost when cornmeal is heavily processed. Other added nutrients include riboflavin, folic acid (vitamin B9), niacin, and thiamin mononitrate.
The variety of Cheetos flavours available differs by region, with 21 different types of Cheetos in North America alone. Some of the more unusual flavours include strawberry Cheetos in Japan, Pepsi-flavoured Cheetos in Japan, Savory American Cream in China, Zesty Japanese Steak in China, and Sweetos (cinnamon sugar-flavoured) in the US. There are also Baked Cheetos, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, and Natural Cheetos, which are marketed as a health-conscious snack made with all-natural ingredients and real Wisconsin white cheddar cheese.
There are no scientific studies that prove that Cheetos are made with materials that are harmful to health. However, one of the ingredients, Yellow 6, has been linked to the development of tumours in animal studies. Yellow 6 is made from petroleum and is used to create yellow and orange colours in food products. While the FDA maintains that it is safe to use in the allowed amounts, it has been banned in some countries and comes with a warning in the UK.
There are also unsubstantiated claims that Cheetos contain plastic. A YouTube user, Andrés Juárez Ramos, compared Cheetos to polystyrene pieces in terms of smell, taste, sound, and texture, claiming that they were identical. However, there is no evidence to support these claims, and Cheetos are made from cornmeal, cheese, and various other ingredients, none of which are plastic.
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Similarities between Cheetos and polystyrene
Despite being a popular cheese snack, Cheetos do not contain plastic. However, a social media user compared them to small pieces of polystyrene used for shipping protection, sparking a debate about the similarities between the two. While Cheetos and polystyrene have distinct purposes and compositions, there are some similarities between the two.
Both Cheetos and polystyrene are lightweight, although this feature is more advantageous for polystyrene, which is often used in packaging and shipping. Polystyrene's lightweight nature contributes to its popularity in these industries, as it helps reduce transportation costs and fuel consumption. Cheetos, too, benefit from being lightweight, as they are designed to be a crunchy, airy snack that can be easily consumed in handfuls.
In terms of texture, both Cheetos and polystyrene exhibit a certain degree of brittleness. Cheetos are designed to be crunchy and brittle, providing a satisfying sensory experience when bitten into. Similarly, general-purpose polystyrene (GPPS) is known for its hard and brittle nature. This characteristic makes GPPS useful for applications where a clear, rigid material is required, such as CD jewel cases.
Dimensional stability is another shared feature. Polystyrene is renowned for its exceptional dimensional stability due to its water resistance, enabling it to retain its size and shape despite varying external conditions. Cheetos, while not to the same extent as polystyrene, also demonstrate dimensional stability. The cheese seasoning on Cheetos contains artificial colors, such as Yellow 6, which may contribute to their stability and help maintain their iconic shape during the manufacturing process.
Both substances are also non-toxic. Polystyrene is FDA-compliant, meaning it is certified safe for use with food and beverages. Similarly, while Cheetos contain various artificial ingredients, they are deemed safe for consumption and are a popular snack food.
While Cheetos and polystyrene differ significantly in their primary functions, with one being a food product and the other a packaging and shipping material, they do share certain similarities in terms of texture, weight, stability, and safety.
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Cheetos' airy texture and its effect on the brain
Cheetos are a popular snack that was introduced in the United States in 1948. They are puffed or crunchy cheese-flavoured snacks available in various shapes and sizes. The brand offers several varieties, including Crunchy, Puffs, Flamin' Hot, Jalapeño Cheddar, and White Cheddar, among others. Cheetos are made from cornmeal with added flavourings, vegetable oil, and additives like salt and sugar.
The airy texture of Cheetos melts in a way that tricks the brain into thinking that no calories are being consumed. This phenomenon is known as "vanishing caloric density." When a food melts quickly in the mouth, the brain interprets it as having no calories, leading to continuous eating without feeling full. Cheetos are designed to trigger the ""bliss point" in the brain, an optimal combination of sweet, salty, and fatty flavours that creates a satisfying and pleasurable experience.
The crunchy texture and cheese powder coating of Cheetos activate the brain's pleasure centres, similar to addictive drugs, leading to cravings for more. The high salt, fat, and carbohydrate content in Cheetos also contribute to their addictive properties, as these ingredients activate the reward centres in the brain. Studies have shown that foods with high amounts of fat and salt can cause addiction-like behaviours.
The unique texture and taste of Cheetos are carefully engineered to be more appealing than regular corn. They are designed to override the brain's natural "I'm satisfied" signals, keeping consumers reaching for more. This is achieved by optimising the crunch, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and the precise balance of fat, salt, and umami flavours.
While the texture and taste of Cheetos can be highly addictive, there is no component in Cheetos that makes them physically addicting. However, the more one indulges in such highly engineered dopamine sources, the harder it becomes to enjoy natural, effort-based rewards. The brain downregulates its dopamine receptors, requiring more stimulation to feel the same level of pleasure. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the sources of dopamine and choose natural rewards like exercising, creating, having deep conversations, or working towards goals, which lead to long-term satisfaction.
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Cheetos' history and creator
Cheetos were invented in 1948 by Texas entrepreneur Charles Elmer Doolin, the creator of the Frito corn chip. Doolin cooked early batches of the cheese-flavoured snack in the Frito Company's research and development kitchen in Dallas, Texas.
The snack sold quickly, but Doolin lacked the production and distribution capacity to support a nationwide launch. This led him to partner with potato chip businessman Herman W. Lay for marketing and distribution. Cheetos were introduced nationally in the US in 1948, along with a potato product called Fritatos.
The success of Cheetos prompted Doolin and Lay to merge their two companies in 1961, forming Frito-Lay Inc. At the time, Cheetos was one of four large snack food brands produced by the company, which had annual revenues of $127 million.
In 1965, Frito-Lay merged with the Pepsi-Cola Company to form PepsiCo, prompting further distribution of Cheetos outside of North America. As of 2010, Cheetos remains the top-selling brand of cheese puffs in its primary market of the US, with worldwide annual sales totalling approximately $4 billion.
The Flamin' Hot Cheetos variant was launched in 1992 after successful regional test markets. Flamin' Hot Cheetos have been the subject of controversy, with Richard Montañez claiming to have invented the spicy snack. However, Frito-Lay disputes this, stating that Montañez did not create Flamin' Hot Cheetos or any Flamin' Hot products.
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Cheetos' production and distribution
Cheetos are produced, marketed, and distributed by PepsiCo, which acquired the brand through the merger of Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola Company in 1965. Frito-Lay was formed in 1961 through the merger of The Frito Company and H.W. Lay & Company. Charles Elmer Doolin, the creator of Fritos, invented Cheetos in 1948 and partnered with potato chip businessman Herman W. Lay for the marketing and distribution of the snack food.
Cheetos are manufactured in PepsiCo's production plants, with 14 plants across 11 states in the US in 2010. The process of making Cheetos involves pumping cornmeal through a pneumatic tube from silos and using a food-grade extruder to shape the cornmeal into the classic Cheetos form. The cornmeal is then fried, seasoned, packaged, and distributed to retailers and distributors. Frito-Lay owns or leases approximately 1,830 distribution centers, warehouses, and offices in North America and has a presence in over 40 countries worldwide.
In terms of distribution, Cheetos are sold in more than 36 countries, with the flavor and composition varied to match regional tastes and cultural preferences. As of 2011, Cheetos are distributed under three PepsiCo operating divisions: PepsiCo Americas Foods, PepsiCo Europe, and PepsiCo Asia, Middle East & Africa (also known as PepsiCo APAC and AMESA). PepsiCo has also granted licenses to other companies, such as Strauss-Elite and Indofood, to distribute Cheetos in certain regions.
The production and distribution of Cheetos have faced some challenges and criticisms. For example, Frito-Lay's plant in Topeka faced media attention in 2021 due to poor working conditions, including allegations of forced overtime and 84-hour workweeks. Additionally, the carbon emissions from the electricity used in the production process have been noted as a negative impact of Cheetos manufacturing.
Overall, the production and distribution of Cheetos involve a complex network of manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and marketing strategies, contributing to the brand's success and presence in the snack food market.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Cheetos are made from artificial ingredients, but none of the listed ingredients are plastic or plastic compounds.
Cheetos are made from "enriched cornmeal" that is heated and fried, then coated in a cheese seasoning made from ingredients including whey, yellow 6, vegetable oil, vitamin B, sugar, salt, and MSG.
Cheetos are not proven to be harmful to health, but they are highly processed and contain artificial ingredients.
A YouTuber pointed out that Cheetos and polystyrene have a similar texture, taste, smell, and combustion process.
Yes, competing products include Utz Cheese Curls, Herr's Cheese Curls, Wise Cheez Doodles, and Planters' Cheese Puffs and Cheese Curls.
