Major change made to Pepsi, Mountain Dew

A move that’s been labelled “the worst in junk food history” has stunned Aussies, with some claiming it will make people “cry”.

A controversial soft drink move has stunned Australians, being labelled “the worst in junk food history”.

Food content creator Russ Eats took to Instagram to reveal that regular versions of popular fizzy drinks Pepsi and Mountain Dew would no longer be available the way that Aussies are accustomed to enjoying them.

“The packaging looks the same, but the health star rating has gone up,” he said.

“They’ve taken out some of the sugar and added sweetener.”

He called it “bullsh*t” and “sneaky”, saying it was done with other soft drink varieties and “they all suck now”.

Recipes have changed for Pepsi and Mountain Dew, with sweeteners added. Picture: Instagram

“Full sugar Pepsi should not be touched,” he argued.

“If we wanted less sugar, we’d get a Pepsi Max. Why this half-arsed version? It only makes sense in sports drinks. Even diabetics rely on the full sugar versions to get their sugar levels up.”

Russ said we’ve had drinks like this before, such as Pepsi Next and Coca Cola Lite, but they are no longer on shelves.

“This is an absolute scandal,” he declared.

PepsiCo ANZ confirmed the change in a statement to news.com.au.

“We have reduced the sugar content in Pepsi and Mountain Dew in response to consumers who tell us they are looking for products that contain less sugar,” a spokesperson said.

“The new formulas contain low-calorie sweeteners and a lower sugar content. We’ve also undertaken extensive sensory research to ensure we’re still delivering the same great taste consumers know and love.”

Social media users are now up in arms about the news.

“Yeh thanks Russ, my day is ruined,” one person said.

Another social media user commented: “Like regardless of the whole debate of what tastes the best. My friend relies on this as she is allergic to sweeteners.”

“So true! I loved Fanta but then it turned sh*t as,” one added.

Someone else commented: “All I wanted was a Pepsi. Just one Pepsi.”

“Pepsi makes sense Pepsi max surely outsells Pepsi,” one person defended the move.

Russ Eats spotted the change, comparing the recipes. Picture: Instagram/@russeats

Another added: “What a f*****g nanny state and I don’t even like Pepsi but it’s my god given right to consume sugar and also as a grown up, choose the quantities of that consumption.”

“They need to tell people this it’s dangerous for diabetics,” one wrote.

Yet another soft drink fan declared: “This is bullsh*t it’s like when they had vanilla Pepsi Max and it was great and then they came along and did soda shop vanilla Pepsi Max and I’m pretty sure it’s a different recipe to the vanilla Pepsi max.”

“I’m outraged! I’d get angry and riot but my energy levels have dropped,” one said.

Another added: “Mountain Dew change is gonna be the death of me.”

And this person was fired up, saying: “Daughter is a type 1 diabetic. Mountain Dew literally saved her life a number of times.”

One added: “Never again Pepsi. Never again.”

“We need to riot against this,” another said.

Safe to say, the Pepsi and Mountain Dew fans have had a strong reaction to the change.

Originally published as Major change made to Pepsi, Mountain Dew