Mountain Dew has been banned in some countries due to specific ingredients in its recipe.

One
of the main reasons is the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO), which has caused
controversy and led to its prohibition in certain regions. Let’s delve into the details:

1. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO):

○ BVO is an emulsifier used in Mountain Dew to ensure that citrus oils remain
uniformly dispersed throughout the soda. Without BVO, these oils might separate
and form a film at the top of the drink.
○ However, BVO contains bromine, a naturally occurring element. Bromine is red
and brown with a strong scent similar to bleach. It remains in liquid form at room
temperature.
○ Exposure to or excessive consumption of bromine can pose health risks. It can
irritate the skin, mucous membranes, and tissues. Additionally, it may lead to
memory loss, skin problems, and nerve issues1.
○ Japan and some European Union countries have banned BVO due to these
health concerns.
2. Caffeine and Sugar Content:
○ Another reason for concern is Mountain Dew’s high levels of caffeine and sugar.
Many health experts and organizations, including the American Heart
Association, have raised alarms about the negative effects of excessive caffeine
and sugar consumption2.
○ A 12-ounce can of Mountain Dew contains 54 milligrams of caffeine, which is
higher than other sodas like Coca-Cola (34 milligrams) and Pepsi (38
milligrams)1.

In summary, the combination of BVO and high caffeine/sugar content has led to Mountain Dew
being banned in certain countries.

Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is a food additive used in many beverages to help emulsify
specific ingredients and prevent the ingredients from separating. It is a complex mixture of
plant-derived triglycerides that have been modified by atoms of the element bromine bonded to
the fat molecules. Here are some key points about BVO:

1. Purpose: BVO is primarily used to keep natural flavoring oils well-blended in beverages,
especially those with citrus flavors. Since oils do not mix well with water (the main
ingredient in most beverages), BVO helps prevent separation during distribution.
2. Emulsification: BVO allows oil-based flavor ingredients to remain evenly distributed and
stabilized throughout the beverage. It achieves this by preventing the oil from separating
from the water.
3. Composition: BVO is typically derived from corn or soybean oil. It undergoes
bromination, where bromine atoms are added to the fat molecules. The resulting BVO
 has a specific density that matches water, allowing it to remain suspended in the
beverage.
4. Regulation:
○ In the United States, BVO was initially designated as generally recognized as
safe (GRAS) in 1958 but was later withdrawn by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in 1970.
○ Current regulations limit the concentration of BVO to 15 ppm, restrict the amount
of free fatty acids to 2.5 percent, and set an iodine value limit of 16.
○ Japan and Europe do not allow BVO as a food additive.
○ Major beverage companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have removed BVO
from their products12.
5. Health Concerns:
○ BVO contains bromine, which can irritate the skin, nose, mouth, and stomach.
○ Some studies suggest a link between BVO consumption and neurologic
symptoms in individuals who drink large quantities of citrus soda (more than 2
liters a day).
○ Questions remain about whether bromine may accumulate in the body.
6. Alternatives: Other food additives used for similar purposes include sucrose acetate
isobutyrate (SAIB) and glycerol ester of wood rosin (ester gum).