Mountain Dew 250ml — DUMP
Munch or Dump rates Mountain Dew 250ml by Pepsi DUMP — score 17/90.
Sugar water with a caffeine kick, dyed neon yellow with tartrazine. The ads say victory lies beyond fear; the label says sodium benzoate and wood rosin. Courage not included.
Why this verdict
- Tartrazine (E102) — a synthetic azo dye linked to hyperactivity and allergic reactions; a hard artificial-color signal
- Sugar is the second ingredient — roughly 3+ teaspoons in a single small 250ml serve
- Added caffeine stacked on sugar in a drink marketed squarely at teens
- Sodium benzoate preservative plus glycerol esters of wood rosin — industrial soda chemistry, not refreshment
- Zero nutrition: no protein, no fiber, just sweetened, dyed, caffeinated water
Ingredients (8)
- Carbonated Water (safe) — Basic component of most beverages, provides fizziness.
- Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
- Acidity Regulators (330 Citric Acid, 331 Sodium Citrate) (safe) — Common food acids for tartness and pH control; benign in these amounts.
- Preservative (211 Sodium Benzoate) (moderate) — Synthetic preservative; can form trace benzene with ascorbic acid and marks this as a processed formulation.
- Caffeine (moderate) — Mild stimulant, 43mg per serving. Fine in moderation but makes the drink mildly habit-forming.
- Stabilizer (445 Glycerol Esters of Wood Rosin) (moderate) — Weighting agent that keeps the flavor oils evenly dispersed; purely industrial additive with no nutritional role.
- Synthetic Food Colour (102 tartrazine) (concerning) — Artificial yellow dye with no nutritional purpose, linked to hyperactivity in sensitive kids.
- Added Flavour (natural flavouring substances) (moderate) — Proprietary flavouring to mimic citrus; manufactured taste, not real fruit.