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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 several food additives, such as phosphoric acid, sodium benzoate, and tartrazine (Colour 102), which is linked to hyperactivity in children. While the product transparently lists its additives by code or name, the overall formulation is typical of an ultra-processed soft drink. The presence of caffeine also warrants caution for sensitive individuals and children.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
High sugar, caffeine, and artificial colour tartrazine (102)
This carbonated soft drink is high in added sugar, contributing to overall calorie intake without significant nutritional benefits. It contains caffeine, a stimulant, and the artificial colour Tartrazine (102), which has been linked to hyperactivity in children. Phosphoric acid is used as an acidity regulator, which can be a concern for dental health with frequent consumption. Sodium benzoate is present as a preservative.
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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.
- Everyone you buy for. Save a profile for Papa or the kids and switch in one tap.
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 added sugar, which is not recommended for infants under 1 year of age.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
AvoidContains Tartrazine (Colour 102), which has been linked to hyperactivity in children. Also contains caffeine, a stimulant not recommended for young children.
Other audiences
LimitHigh added sugar content and caffeine are not recommended for regular consumption by children due to potential impacts on energy levels, sleep, and dental health.
Contains caffeine, which should be limited to 200 mg/day during pregnancy.
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 contributes to overall calorie intake.
Presence of caffeine requires moderation, especially for sensitive groups.
Artificial colour Tartrazine (102) is linked to hyperactivity in children.
Phosphoric acid can impact dental health with regular consumption.
Contains multiple artificial additives.
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 (Colour 102), an artificial colour linked to hyperactivity in children.
High in added sugar, which contributes to excessive calorie intake and potential health issues if consumed frequently.
Contains Caffeine, a stimulant that should be consumed with caution by children, pregnant women, and individuals sensitive to its effects.
Contains Phosphoric Acid (338), which can contribute to dental erosion with frequent consumption.
Combined Effects interactions
The acidic environment created by phosphoric acid (338) enhances the antimicrobial efficacy of sodium benzoate (211). While effective for preservation, this interaction does not pose an additional safety concern beyond the individual ingredients.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The ingredient list confirms the presence of carbonated water.
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 RegulatorsPhosphoric acid (INS 338), Sodium citrates (INS 331)ACIDITY REGULATORS (338, 331)
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4.
StabilizersGum acacia (arabic) (INS 414), Glycerol esters of wood rosin (INS 445)STABILIZERS (414, 445)
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5.
PreservativeSodium benzoate (INS 211)PRESERVATIVE (211)
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6.
CaffeineCAFFEINE
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7.
Natural FlavorNATURAL FLAVOUR
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8.
Artificial FlavorARTIFICIAL FLAVOUR (LEMON LIME)
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9.
Color 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 | 45 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrate | 11.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 11.2 g |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 0 g |
| Sodium | 10 mg |
| Caffeine | 12 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 9 ingredients, in label order: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Acidity Regulator, Stabilizers, Preservative, Caffeine, Natural Flavours, Artificial Flavours, Colour. Flagged by the analysis: Caffeine, Preservative.
Is Mountain Dew safe to eat?
Mountain Dew scores 1.8/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This carbonated soft drink is high in added sugar, contributing to overall calorie intake without significant nutritional benefits. It contains caffeine, a stimulant, and the artificial colour Tartrazine (102), which has been linked to hyperactivity in children. Phosphoric acid is used as an acidity regulator, which can be a concern for dental health with frequent consumption. Sodium benzoate is present as a preservative.
Why does Mountain Dew score 1.8/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of caffeine requires moderation, especially for sensitive groups. Also noted: High added sugar content contributes to overall calorie intake. Artificial colour Tartrazine (102) is linked to hyperactivity in children.
Who should avoid Mountain Dew?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Children due to caffeine and tartrazine; Individuals sensitive to caffeine; Individuals sensitive to artificial colours; Avoiding high added sugar intake; Individuals with dental erosion concerns.
Is Mountain Dew suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Avoid.
How much sugar is in Mountain Dew?
11.2 g of total sugar per 100 ml. The label does not declare added sugar separately, so we cannot say how much of it is added.
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.
Are the claims on the Mountain Dew pack accurate?
Yes — all 1 claim on the pack checked out against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.
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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