Overview

• PepsiCo confirmed the new Australian formulas cut sugar by roughly 35% in Pepsi and 40% in Mountain Dew by substituting low-calorie sweeteners.
• The switch boosts Australia’s Health Star Rating for both drinks from 0.5 to 1.5 out of 5 under the national labeling system.
• Company representatives say extensive sensory research was conducted to preserve the original taste profile despite the ingredient changes.
• Australian food influencer Russ Eats first flagged the reformulation after spotting the upgraded star ratings on store packaging.
• The move has drawn criticism from diabetics and sweetener-allergic consumers and prompted comparisons to Coca-Cola’s 1985 New Coke backlash.