Do Cheetos Contain Methyl Benzoate and Ethyl Methylphenylglycidate?

A viral social media post has raised concerns among snack lovers and health-conscious consumers alike, claiming that Cheetos are “loaded” with synthetic compounds such as methyl benzoate and ethyl methylphenylglycidate.

Social Media Claims

Multiple users shared messages about snack brands that might harm your health. One part of the message made a claim about Cheetos, stating that:

“Cheetos are loaded with ingredients such as methyl benzoate and ethyl methylphenylglycidate. Additionally, the artificial dye Yellow 6 is responsible for that bright yellow color. Yellow 6 comes from petroleum.”

This post has circulated widely on social media platforms. Posts often mention concerns about ingredients used in popular snack brands and questions about ingredient disclosure practices.

Source | Archive

Fact Check

Do Cheetos contain methyl benzoate and ethyl methylphenylglycidate?

We reviewed official ingredient lists for various Cheetos products, including Crunchy, Flamin’ Hot, and Puffs, available through product packaging and major grocery retailers. None of these varieties contain either methyl benzoate or ethyl methylphenylglycidate.

What are these compounds?

Methyl benzoate is a synthetic ester used in perfumes and flavorings, especially in fruit-flavored products. It has a sweet, minty, or fruity odor, and can occur naturally in some fruits like apples and grapes. It’s not associated with savory or spicy foods like Cheetos.

Ethyl methylphenylglycidate, also known as “strawberry aldehyde,” is commonly used to mimic strawberry flavor. It appears in bubblegum, candy, and sometimes in fruity soft drinks.

Why aren’t they in Cheetos?

Cheetos are known for their cheese- and spice-based flavor profile, which relies heavily on cheddar cheese powder, seasonings, MSG, and acidifiers, not fruity or floral compounds.

These flavoring agents are rarely, if ever, found in savory snacks, especially those marketed for bold cheese or chili flavor.

While trace amounts of various flavoring compounds can sometimes be included under the general label “artificial flavors,” there is no indication that either methyl benzoate or ethyl methylphenylglycidate are used in Cheetos, and their typical use in fruit-flavored products makes their presence unlikely.

Ingredient Lists for Cheetos

The ingredient labels for Cheetos products list the following components:

• Enriched corn meal
• Vegetable oil
• Cheese seasoning (which includes artificial colours, salt, cheese culture, enzymes, and various flavour enhancers like monosodium glutamate)
• Artificial colours (such as Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40 Lake, etc.)
• Other flavourings and preservatives (like citric acid, maltodextrin, yeast extract, onion powder, garlic powder, buttermilk, and others)

(Source)

There is no mention of methyl benzoate or ethyl methylphenylglycidate in any official Cheetos ingredient list.

Yellow 6 and Artificial Dyes

While the claims about methyl benzoate and ethyl methylphenylglycidate are unsupported, the post does include a factual point about artificial colouring, specifically Yellow 6:

Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) is a synthetic dye derived from petroleum or coal tar. Along with dyes like Yellow 5 and Red 40 Lake, it is commonly used in Cheetos products to achieve their bold yellow-orange hue.

However, Yellow 6 is FDA-approved, although it remains under ongoing scrutiny. It is one of several dyes that some consumers avoid due to potential allergy sensitivities and concerns about its link to hyperactivity in children. (Source)

Some Cheetos Products Now Artificial-Free

Not all Cheetos products rely on synthetic dyes. For example, Simply Puffs White Cheddar, part of the “Simply” product line, is specifically marketed as containing no artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives. These varieties cater to health-conscious consumers looking for a cleaner label and stand apart from the standard Cheetos lineup in formulation and branding. (Source)

PepsiCo Shifts Away from Artificial Ingredients

In response to growing consumer concerns and regulatory scrutiny, PepsiCo, the parent company of Cheetos, has committed to reducing artificial colors and additives across its U.S. snack portfolio. As of early 2025, over 60% of PepsiCo’s snack products no longer contain synthetic dyes. The company aims to extend this reformulation to major brands such as Lay’s, Doritos, and Cheetos.

As of 2025, PepsiCo has not published specific plans regarding Yellow 6 in classic Cheetos, though the company continues to explore natural ingredient alternatives across its snack portfolio. (Source)

Conclusion

Our investigation found that the viral claims about Cheetos containing methyl benzoate and ethyl methylphenylglycidate are inaccurate. These compounds, typically found in fruit-flavored products, are not listed ingredients in Cheetos’ savory cheese formulations.

However, the post does correctly identify the presence of Yellow 6, a synthetic food dye, which is used in several Cheetos varieties. While this FDA-approved ingredient has sparked discussions about artificial additives in snack foods, PepsiCo continues to explore natural alternatives across their product lines.

Sources:

EWG’s Food Scores: Cheetos Puffs Cheese Flavored Snacks Flamin’ Hot

Cheetos Simply Puffs White Cheddar Cheese Flavored Snacks

Compound Data – Methyl Benzoate (FoodDB)

Compound Data – Ethyl methylphenylglycidate (Wikipedia)