There are people who love Cheetos, and then there are People Who Love Flamin' Hot Cheetos. The latter deserves its own title—its own category of food-obsessed. They're the ones who could snack on the cheesy poofs every day (if they don't already), would gladly argue until they're as brick-red as the FHCs themselves about why they're the best road-trip food on Earth, and have already decided to incorporate them into their weddings...somehow (see No. 4, ASAP!). But even the most obsessed don't know some of these facts.
1. A Janitor Invented The Snack—And Became The Company's EVP.
When a machine broke on the assembly line where Richard Montañez worked as a janitor, he took a bunch of Cheetos home and sprinkled chili powder on them, since they're a cheesy corn treat, much like the elote, or Mexican street corn, he grew up eating. The snack was such a hit, Montañez decided to present it to company execs, borrowing business books from the library to perfect his pitch and buying a $3 tie to look snazzy for the big presentation, according to Inc.
The idea took off, and since then, Montañez has become the executive vice president of multicultural sales and community activation for PepsiCo's North American division.
2. Some Schools Have Banned Them.
The high fat, salt, and calorie content in Flamin' Hot Cheetos sparked serious debates in 2012 about whether the snack belonged in schools, as many kids would ignore serving suggestions and eat a whole bag in one sitting. Some districts, like Rockford in IL, banned them entirely. One health teacher in New Mexico sent out an impassioned plea to parents and school officials, citing four reasons they shouldn't be allowed, including the health concerns, the germs that could be swapped when kids share treats, and the clean-up involved in scrubbing red fingerprints off of desks and tables.
3. One Cheeto Sold For $99,000 on eBay.
Consider it a divine mash-up destined to break the Internet: Somebody found a Flamin' Hot Cheeto that looked like Harambe (the deceased gorilla who's so beloved he's become a meme shared worldwide). That person put the puff on eBay—and snagged close to six figures for it.
4. They're Unbelievably Good As A Mac & Cheese Topping.
It sounds all kinds of wrong, but it tastes so right: Crumbling up 1/3 to 2/3 of a cup of Flamin' Hot Cheetos, mixing them with Panko bread crumbs, and toasting them with melted butter makes for a dangerously addictive upgrade to classic—or, in our case, Pepper Jack—mac and cheese. Sure, it's not an everyday meal, but as a once-in-a-while indulgence (or, say, the comfort food a Cheetos superfan serves at his/her wedding *wink, wink*), it's pretty incredible. Get the recipe here.
5. Katy Perry's A Diehard FHC Fan.
The "Roar" singer won Halloween back in 2014 when she dressed up as a giant Flamin' Hot Cheeto (complete with a sure-to-be Chester Cheetah-approved handbag). Check it out:
6. They Inspired A Flamin' Hot Cheetos-Infused Bagel.
If your everything bagel with plain cream cheese is feeling a little tired, you might want to make a road trip to Freehold, NJ. The Bagel Nook recently introduced The Flamin' Hot Cheeto Overload, a Flamin' Hot Cheetos-flavored bagel stuffed with ghost pepper cream cheese and actual FHCs. It's got one serious kick—and went viral within days of its debut.
7. They've Become A Way People Show Their Love.
Flowers and chocolate are great and all, but for FHC obsessives, there's a more original way to say what's on your heart: a Flamin' Hot Cheet-quet.
8. They've Caused Health Scares.
If you eat too many Flamin' Hot Cheetos, your poop can turn a reddish color. Some people have thought it's a sign of internal bleeding and rushed to the ER, only to learn it was just a sign they've been snacking a little too heavily on the spicy treats.
"Food such as beets or red peppers can make stool appear red, however it is not actually blood in the stool," Dr. Robert Glatter, a physician for Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, told CBSNews.com.
It's gross, we know, but it's worth knowing. And it makes a compelling argument for that whole "everything in moderation" thing. Even when it comes to Cheetos.
9. No, really. You can get really sick from eating too many of them.
Rapper Lil Xan, for example, recently was hospitalized because FHC "ripped something in [his] stomach open." Earlier this year, a teenager underwent emergency gallbladder surgery and her mom blamed her Hot Cheetos habit for the health scare.
10. There are (healthier) alternatives.
If the aforementioned salt, fat, and calorie issues bother you, but you still can't get enough of that sweet, sweet spice, Trader Joe's has "Spicy Cheese Crunchies" that people believe are comparable-ish to the OG. Check 'em out here.
