Doritos faces backlash after unveiling new square crisp design
Doritos plans to change the shape of its iconic crisps from triangular to square. The manufacturer, PepsiCo, announced it will unveil details later this month. Fans in the United Kingdom are expressing surprise and dissatisfaction.
In an Instagram post, Doritos showcased an image of the new square crisp with the caption "the shape of things to come." This change might be one of the biggest in the brand's history. According to "The Sun," PepsiCo, the maker of Doritos, plans to reveal more details later this month, reports Daily Mail.
Fans' reactions to the shape change
As reported, fans in the United Kingdom quickly responded to the announcement. One of them wrote, "Don't mess with my triangle!" Another added, "Doritos without a triangle it isn't a Doritos!" A third asked if Doritos is serious, saying, "'April 1st already?" Since the 1960s, Doritos crisps have been known for their triangular shape, which is promoted as ideal for dipping.
The history and future of Doritos
Doritos debuted in the USA in the early 1960s and quickly became popular. By 1993, they were the most preferred snack in America, and a year later they entered the UK market. The triangular shape of the crisps is key to their image, and a change to square could affect the brand's perception. PepsiCo promises more information soon.
Ban on crisps in the EU
The EU decided to implement a ban on the sale of bacon-flavoured crisps and some other products. Member states supported the proposal to not renew authorization for eight smoke flavourings added to crisps and other food products.
After the withdrawal period, these substances will be banned in the EU.
The mentioned flavours are created through a pyrolysis process, which involves purifying smoke to remove harmful components (e.g., tar). This produces liquid smoke, which is added to food to enhance flavour.
However, studies by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) confirmed the genotoxicity of these substances or showed that it couldn't be excluded.
Genotoxicity means that a substance can damage genetic material. This, in turn, can lead to cancer, among other things. According to EFSA, it is not possible to determine a safe amount of these substances for consumption.