Pack image shown to identify the product. Decode Label is independent of Mountain Dew and is not sponsored or endorsed by it. Trademarks
Brand owned by PepsiCo (United States) · about the brand
Mountain Dew
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.8 ShowHide
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 and caffeine, which are primary concerns for regular consumption. While the label transparently discloses its additives by INS code, the overall formulation is typical of an ultra-processed soft drink. The presence of tartrazine (INS 102), a synthetic food colour, is also a notable additive concern, particularly for children.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
High added sugar and caffeine; contains synthetic colour tartrazine
This soft drink is high in added sugar, contributing to excess calorie intake and potential health issues with frequent consumption. It also contains caffeine, a stimulant, and tartrazine (INS 102), a synthetic food colour linked to hyperactivity in some children. Individuals sensitive to food colours or those monitoring sugar and caffeine intake should be cautious.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Total sugar is 12.3 g per 100 ml.
Personal check · free
Is this right for you or your family?
Just checking whether the product is safe? The analysis above is yours, no account needed. To know if it is safe for you, your father or your child, add a profile and we check this label against them.
- 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 caffeine and high added sugar, which are not recommended for young children due to potential overstimulation, sleep disruption, and dental health concerns. Also contains Tartrazine (INS 102), a synthetic colour linked to hyperactivity.
Other audiences
LimitContains caffeine; intake 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
Presence of caffeine
Synthetic food 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
High added sugar content contributes to excess calorie intake and potential health risks with frequent consumption. WHO advises keeping free sugar intake under 10% of energy, ideally under 5%.
Contains caffeine, a stimulant. Excessive intake can lead to jitters, sleep disturbances, and increased heart rate. Adult limit is about 400 mg/day, 200 mg in pregnancy, and 3 mg per kg for children.
Contains Tartrazine (INS 102), a synthetic food colour linked to hyperactivity in some children and potential allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Combined Effects interactions
Sodium benzoate (INS 211) can react with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), which is a form of citric acid (INS 330), to form benzene, a known carcinogen. While citric acid is present, the presence of ascorbic acid is not explicitly stated, so the risk cannot be confirmed from the label alone.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
10 entries as printed on the label · 9 distinct ingredients (some are declared more than once).
-
1.
Carbonated Water listed twiceCARBONATED WATER
-
2.
Sweetened Carbonated Water(SWEETENED CARBONATED WATER)
-
3.
Carbonated Water listed twiceCARBONATED WATER
-
4.
SugarSUGAR
-
5.
Acidity RegulatorsCitric acid (INS 330), Sodium citrates (INS 331)ACIDITY REGULATORS (330, 331)
-
6.
PreservativeSodium benzoate (INS 211)PRESERVATIVE (211)
-
7.
CaffeineCAFFEINE
-
8.
StabilizerGlycerol esters of wood rosin (INS 445)STABILIZER (445)
-
9.
Permitted Synthetic Food Colour synthetic colourTartrazine (INS 102)PERMITTED SYNTHETIC FOOD COLOUR (102)
-
10.
Added FlavourADDED FLAVOUR (NATURAL FLAVOURING SUBSTANCES)
Listed twice: an ingredient appears more than once in the same part of the list. This may indicate two separate ingredient blends in the formulation, or a duplication in how the label was recorded.
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 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 16 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: Sweetened Carbonated Water, Carbonated Water, Sugar, Acidity Regulator, Preservative, Caffeine, Stabilizers, Permitted Synthetic Food Colour, Added Flavours. Flagged by the analysis: Caffeine, Permitted Synthetic Food Colour, Preservative.
Is Mountain Dew safe to eat?
Mountain Dew scores 1.8/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This soft drink is high in added sugar, contributing to excess calorie intake and potential health issues with frequent consumption. It also contains caffeine, a stimulant, and tartrazine (INS 102), a synthetic food colour linked to hyperactivity in some children. Individuals sensitive to food colours or those monitoring sugar and caffeine intake should be cautious.
Why does Mountain Dew score 1.8/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of caffeine. Also noted: High added sugar content. Synthetic food colour Tartrazine (INS 102).
Who should avoid Mountain Dew?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Avoiding high added sugar intake; Sensitive to caffeine; Sensitive to synthetic food colours (Tartrazine); Children due to caffeine and tartrazine.
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 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.
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.
Reader reviews
How the product performed for people who used it — taste, value, everyday experience. Separate from the Decode Label score above, which rates what is on the label.
Sign in to leave a review.
Sign in →No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.
Help us keep this accurate
Two quick questions about our analysis — not about the product.
Was this analysis helpful?
Tells us whether the breakdown above actually answered your question.
0 of 0 readers found this analysis helpful
Does your pack match this page?
Recipes change and packs get reformulated. If the ingredients or the panel on the pack in your hand differ from what we show, tell us and we will check it.
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.
Report Error
If you believe this score is inaccurate, provide details below. Our team reviews every report and will update the rating if warranted.
Report submitted
Our team will review your report and update the rating if the evidence warrants it. Thank you for helping keep our data accurate.
Share this product
Mountain Dew
Link copied — paste it in your Instagram bio or Story!