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Pepsi
Barcode 01201303
AVOIDIs Pepsi safe?
Pepsi is rated AVOID by BannedPantry: its label lists 2 ingredients that are banned or restricted outside the US — Caramel Color III (California (Prop 65 - via 4-MEI contaminant), EU (authorized, restricted uses)); High Fructose Corn Syrup (EU (tax/restricted)). All of them are still legal to sell in the US.
Flagged ingredients (2)
Caramel Color IIImedium
Banned or restricted in: California (Prop 65 - via 4-MEI contaminant), EU (authorized, restricted uses)
E150c (ammonia caramel) is authorized in the EU under Reg (EC) 1333/2008 Annex II. The Prop 65 link is indirect: the listed carcinogen is 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a contaminant, listed effective Jan 7 2011 (NSRL 29 ug/day); caramel colour itself is not listed.
High Fructose Corn Syrupmedium
Banned or restricted in: EU (tax/restricted)
EU imposes production quotas and taxes on isoglucose; linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver.
Cleaner swaps for Pepsi
Same category, none of the flagged ingredients.
OLIPOP Vintage Cola Prebiotic Soda 12-pack
OLIPOP
Prebiotic soda, 35 cal, real plant botanicals. No HFCS, no caramel color IV, no phosphoric acid.
Zevia Zero Calorie Cola 24-pack
Zevia
No artificial sweeteners, HFCS, caramel color, or phosphoric acid. Stevia sweetened.
Poppi Doc Pop Prebiotic Soda 12-pack
Poppi
Apple cider vinegar based prebiotic. 25 cal, no artificial colors or HFCS.
As an Amazon Associate, BannedPantry earns from qualifying purchases. This never influences our ratings — .
Full ingredient list
CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CARAMEL COLOR, SUGAR, PHOSPHORIC ACID, CAFFEINE, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR.
Common questions
Is Pepsi banned in the United States?
No — every ingredient in Pepsi is currently legal to sell in the US. However, Caramel Color III, High Fructose Corn Syrup are banned or restricted in other regions: Caramel Color III (California (Prop 65 - via 4-MEI contaminant), EU (authorized, restricted uses)); High Fructose Corn Syrup (EU (tax/restricted)).
Which ingredients in Pepsi are flagged?
Caramel Color III: E150c (ammonia caramel) is authorized in the EU under Reg (EC) 1333/2008 Annex II. The Prop 65 link is indirect: the listed carcinogen is 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a contaminant, listed effective Jan 7 2011 (NSRL 29 ug/day); caramel colour itself is not listed. High Fructose Corn Syrup: EU imposes production quotas and taxes on isoglucose; linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver.
What does the AVOID rating mean?
BannedPantry checks each labeled ingredient against food and cosmetic safety standards from the EU, UK, Canada, Japan, and California, with a citation for every flag. AVOID means at least one labeled ingredient is banned or restricted by a major overseas regulator, or is high-severity under our methodology. Ratings are never influenced by brands.
What can I buy instead of Pepsi?
Comparable products without the flagged ingredients include OLIPOP Vintage Cola Prebiotic Soda 12-pack (OLIPOP), Zevia Zero Calorie Cola 24-pack (Zevia), Poppi Doc Pop Prebiotic Soda 12-pack (Poppi). You can also scan any product's barcode free at https://bannedpantry.com to check it before you buy.
Run a full ingredient scan
See exactly which ingredients in Pepsi are banned overseas, with sources.
Scan now →BannedPantry — Our scores are never influenced by brands.