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Brand owned by PepsiCo (United States) · about the brand
Mountain Dew
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.8 ShowHide
Reviewed 1 time · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This carbonated beverage contains a significant amount of added sugar, which is a primary nutritional concern, especially for children. It also includes caffeine, a stimulant, and several food additives such as sodium benzoate (a preservative), glycerol esters of wood rosin (a stabilizer), and tartrazine (a synthetic colour). Tartrazine (INS 102) is a synthetic food colour that has been linked to hyperactivity in some children, making this product less suitable for young children. The presence of caffeine also warrants caution for children and pregnant individuals. While the product transparently discloses its additives by code, the overall formulation is driven by sugar and artificial ingredients, which limits its nutritional value.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
High added sugar, caffeine, and synthetic colour tartrazine
The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This carbonated drink contains a high amount of added sugar, which contributes to excess calorie intake and is a concern for overall health. It also includes caffeine, a stimulant, and the synthetic colour tartrazine (INS 102), which has been associated with hyperactivity in children. Individuals sensitive to food additives, children, and pregnant women should exercise caution due to these ingredients.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Added sugar is 12.3 g per 100 ml.
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- Allergies. Peanut, milk, gluten, egg and more, checked against the ingredient list.
- Diet. Vegetarian, vegan, Jain, no egg, no dairy.
- Health and goals. Sugar, salt, protein, steady blood sugar, heart-friendly, weight.
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Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for beverage. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Infants under 1
AvoidContains caffeine and high added sugar, which are unsuitable for infants.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
AvoidContains Tartrazine (INS 102), a synthetic colour linked to hyperactivity in children. Also contains caffeine, a stimulant, and high added sugar, which are not recommended for this age group.
Other audiences
LimitContains caffeine, which should be limited to 200 mg/day during pregnancy. This product's caffeine content should be factored into daily intake.
Why the score is capped
Flavours not disclosed — the label does not say which substance this is
Rule F-CAP-13
Watch out for
High added sugar content
Presence of caffeine
Synthetic colour Tartrazine (INS 102)
Preservative Sodium Benzoate (INS 211)
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Added Sugars
Sugars added to food, and the sugars in honey, syrups and fruit juice concentrates, are "free sugars". The WHO guideline recommends that they stay below 10% of total energy intake and suggests below 5% for additional benefit. Where the sugar sits in the ingredient list and how many grams the panel declares is what matters; this is information, because the nutrition score already prices the grams.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: WHO, Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children (2015)
Added Sugars: regulation, sources and other products →Caffeine
The EU food safety authority found that up to 400 mg of caffeine a day (about 3 mg per kg of body weight a day in children and adolescents) does not raise safety concerns, and that pregnant and breastfeeding women should stay at or below 200 mg a day. Caffeine added to a drink or supplement counts toward that total alongside coffee and tea. Energy drinks and fat-burner stacks are judged by their own caps; this record explains the substance.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EFSA Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine, EFSA Journal 2015;13(5):4102
Caffeine: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains Tartrazine (INS 102), a synthetic food colour linked to hyperactivity in children.
High added sugar content contributes to overall sugar intake, which should be limited according to WHO guidelines.
Contains caffeine, a stimulant that should be consumed with caution by children and pregnant individuals.
Combined Effects interactions
While not explicitly listed, if ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) were present, sodium benzoate in an acidic environment (like that created by citric acid) could potentially form benzene, a known carcinogen. However, this product does not list ascorbic acid.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
Carbonated WaterCARBONATED WATER
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2.
SugarSUGAR
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3.
Acidity RegulatorsCitric acid (INS 330), Sodium citrates (INS 331)ACIDITY REGULATORS (330, 331)
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4.
FlavourFLAVOUR (NATURAL FLAVOURING SUBSTANCES)
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5.
PreservativeSodium benzoate (INS 211)PRESERVATIVE (211)
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6.
Caffeine 13mg/100 gCAFFEINE (13 mg/100 g)
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7.
StabilizerGlycerol esters of wood rosin (INS 445)STABILIZER (445)
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8.
Colour synthetic colourTartrazine (INS 102)COLOUR (102)
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
Declared on this label as
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
| Energy | 49 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrate | 12.3 g |
| Total Sugars | 12.3 g |
| Added Sugars | 12.3 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 8 mg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
Compare with other soft drink products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
Also on this shelf
More Soft Drink & Soda products we've analysed, in name order.
What are the ingredients in Mountain Dew?
The label of Mountain Dew lists 8 ingredients, in label order: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Acidity Regulator, Flavours, Preservative, Caffeine, Stabilizers, Colour. Flagged by the analysis: Colour, Preservative.
Is Mountain Dew safe to eat?
Mountain Dew scores 1.8/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). The score is held down by this product's nutrition profile, which dominates the assessment regardless of the rest of the formulation. This carbonated drink contains a high amount of added sugar, which contributes to excess calorie intake and is a concern for overall health. It also includes caffeine, a stimulant, and the synthetic colour tartrazine (INS 102), which has been associated with hyperactivity in children. Individuals sensitive to food additives, children, and pregnant women should exercise caution due to these ingredients.
Why does Mountain Dew score 1.8/10?
Flagged in the score: Synthetic colour Tartrazine (INS 102). Also noted: High added sugar content. Presence of caffeine.
Who should avoid Mountain Dew?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding high added sugar; Sensitive to caffeine; Sensitive to synthetic food colours (Tartrazine); Children and pregnant individuals.
Is Mountain Dew suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Avoid.
Is Mountain Dew high in sugar?
Yes — 12.3 g of total sugar per 100 ml, above the 11.25 g per 100 ml that UK front-of-pack labelling marks as high. The label declares 12.3 g of that as added sugar per 100 ml.
Does Mountain Dew contain caffeine?
Yes — the ingredient list names Caffeine, a source of caffeine. Check the pack for the amount per serving, especially when buying for children or during pregnancy.
Is Mountain Dew vegetarian?
Mountain Dew is marked vegetarian.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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