Hoax: Dorito’s Powder Isn’t for Taste, but for “Dorito’s Experience”

Several internet “facts” websites have claimed that the residue on Dorito’s chips do not affect the taste, but it exists merely to enhance the “Dorito’s Experience.” Today we’re taking a closer look at this claim.

It’s false.

First, let’s take a look at one version of the claim being made by one of these so-called “fact” sites:

“Dorito’s could be made without the powder and taste exactly the same. It was left on because it was decided that the residue left on your fingers was part of the “Dorito’s experience.”

This claim appears to have originated from a Maxim article entitled “The Legend of Dorito’s” from 2012. The author of the article wrote, “Frito-Lay could easily season Doritos without the dust that ends up on your fingertips, but it was decided that the glowing orange residue is part of what (Michael) Fox calls ‘the Doritos experience.'”

The article is not suggesting that the dust has no flavor, only that there are other ways in which the chips could be seasoned. These “fact” pages appear to have misunderstood what the Maxim author was saying – that the dust is a seasoning of choice, not that it was a tasteless addition.

Later Version

The version below has been seen in circulation as of September 2015. It slightly alters the wording to claim that “Doritos could be made without the powder and taste exactly the same.” The meme claims that the powder was chosen as an option to create the “Doritos experience.”

Frito Lay Response

We reached out to Frito Lay, manufacturer of Dorito’s, and asked them directly about the claims that the powder has no taste. They echoed our sentiment above with the following response:

The seasoning we add to our chips is used only for flavor. It is not designed to create residue on the fingers but that certainly can be part of the eating experience!

We consider you a valued consumer and hope you will continue to enjoy snacks from Frito-Lay.

Best regards,
Linda
Frito-Lay Consumer Relations

Bottom Line

The powder/dust on Dorito’s is used for flavoring. These “fact” websites misquoted a Maxim article which stated that the dust was Frito Lay’s choice of seasoning which was part of the “Dorito’s Experience” and not that it was a tasteless addition to the product. Later memes suggesting the powder was chosen to enhance the experience are also incorrect.

Sources

• The Legend of Doritos (Maxim, 2/1/2012, via Internet Archive)

Updated September 11, 2015
Originally posted May 2013