Mountain Dew ingredients: what's banned overseas?

About Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew is the quintessential example of the US vs. UK beverage ingredient gap. US Mountain Dew historically contained brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a flame retardant derivative used as an emulsifier to keep citrus flavoring suspended. BVO was never approved in the EU or UK. PepsiCo removed BVO from Mountain Dew in 2014 following consumer campaigns. The FDA revoked BVO authorization entirely in July 2024. US Mountain Dew also contains Yellow 5 (tartrazine), which gives the drink its distinctive color but is absent from UK versions.

Common concerns with Mountain Dew products

{"ingredient_slug":"bvo","ingredient_name":"Brominated Vegetable Oil","found_in_product":"Mountain Dew (US — historic, removed 2014)","concern":"Banned in EU and Japan; never approved in UK. FDA revoked authorization July 2024. Bromine accumulation linked to neurological symptoms at high intake levels."}; {"ingredient_slug":"yellow-dye-5","ingredient_name":"Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)","found_in_product":"Mountain Dew (US — current)","concern":"Gives Mountain Dew its neon yellow-green color. EU/UK requires hyperactivity warning label. Not in UK Mountain Dew."}