Is Mountain Dew Baja Blast Vegan and Cruelty Free? A Blasting Truth

July 31, 2023

Trying to work out whether Baja Blast is vegan can be challenging.

Beverages often contain many ingredients and some may be of animal origins.

To make sure you only eat vegan food that aligns with your vegan diet and lifestyle, I’ve investigated the ingredients and production processes of Baja Blast.

Here’s what I found.

Is Baja Blast Vegan?

Yes! Mountain Dew Baja Blast is vegan.

Baja Blast is a popular drink made by Mountain Dew that is only found in Taco Bell. The drink is vegan because it does not contain any animal products or by-products.

Many other soft drink brands use sugar to sweeten their drinks, sugar that is often processed using animal bone char.

Mountain Dew does not use this type of sugar, so Baja Blast is accidentally vegan.

The artificial colors used in these soft drinks are also derived from petroleum, not from crushed bugs.

Is Mountain Dew Baja Blast Cruelty Free?

No. Mountain Dew Baja Blast is not cruelty free.

Baja Blast has artificial coloring, which is often tested on animals.

Additionally, Mountain Dew is owned by PepsiCo. PepsiCo tests on animals when required by law and when they believe it’s necessary to protect consumers, workers, or the environment.

PepsiCo also sells products in countries that require animal testing by law.

So, if you’re looking for a cruelty-free soft drink, Mountain Dew Baja Blast is not the drink for you.

What Is Mountain Dew Baja Blast Made Of?

Here are the ingredients of Mountain Dew Baja Blast:

  • Carbonated water
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Natural and artificial flavor
  • Citric acid
  • Sodium benzoate (preserves freshness)
  • Caffeine
  • Gum arabic
  • Sodium citrate
  • Calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavor)
  • Sucrose acetate isobutyrate
  • Yellow 5
  • Blue 1

Let’s break down each ingredient of Mountain Dew Baja Blast:

Carbonated water

Carbonated water is water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas. This gives the water a fizzy, bubbly texture. It is used as the base for many sodas and other carbonated drinks. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

High fructose corn syrup

High fructose corn syrup is a type of sugar that is made from corn. It is used as a sweetener in many processed foods and drinks. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Natural and artificial flavor

Natural flavors are extracted from plants or animals to add flavor to food or drink products. Artificial flavors are created in a laboratory and are not derived from plants or animals. Mountain Dew Baja Blast contains both natural and artificial flavors. These flavors are vegan friendly.

Citric acid

Citric acid is a type of acid that is found in citrus fruits. It is used as a preservative and to add flavor to food and drink products. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Sodium benzoate (preserves freshness)

Sodium benzoate is a type of salt that is used as a preservative. It helps to prevent food and drinks from spoiling. Sodium benzoate is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a type of stimulant that is found in coffee, tea, and soda. It is used to add flavor and to keep people awake. It is a stimulant and can have side effects if consumed in large amounts. Caffeine is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Gum arabic

Gum arabic is a type of gum that is derived from the sap of acacia trees. It is used as an emulsifier and to add texture to food and drink products. Gum arabic is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Sodium citrate

Sodium citrate is a type of salt that is used to add flavor and preserve food and drink products. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavor)

Calcium disodium EDTA is a type of salt that is used to preserve food and drink products. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Sucrose acetate isobutyrate

Sucrose acetate isobutyrate is a type of ester that is used as a flavor enhancer. It is a vegan-friendly ingredient.

Yellow 5

Yellow 5 food coloring is derived from petroleum. It is used to add color to food and drink products. While it is vegan friendly, some vegans prefer to avoid synthetic food colorings because of animal testing.

Blue 1

Blue 1 food coloring is derived from petroleum. It is used to add color to food and drink products. While it is vegan-friendly, some vegans prefer to avoid synthetic food colorings because of animal testing.

Why Is Mountain Dew Baja Blast Vegan?

These tropical-flavored drinks are vegan because they do not contain any animal-based ingredients.

The ingredients used are either plant based or synthetic.

However, some vegans may question the artificial colors used in the drink. While these colors are technically vegan, some vegans prefer to avoid synthetic food colorings because they are often tested on animals.

If you are looking for a refreshing drink to enjoy and don’t mind artificial colors, then Mountain Dew Baja Blast is a great option for you.

Is Mountain Dew Major Melon Vegan?

Yes! Mountain Dew Major Melon does not contain any animal-based ingredients. The drink is also not tested on animals.

Mountain Dew Major Melon is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Mountain Dew Live Wire Vegan?

Yes! Mountain Dew Live Wire does not contain any animal-based ingredients.

Mountain Dew Live Wire is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Mountain Dew Code Red Vegan?

Yes! Code Red Mountain Dew has no animal-based ingredients and it is not tested on animals.

Mountain Dew Code Red is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Mountain Dew Voltage Vegan?

Yes! Mountain Dew Voltage has no animal-based ingredients and it is not tested on animals.

Mountain Dew Voltage is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Original Mountain Dew Vegan?

Yes! Original Mountain Dew contains no animal-based ingredients and it is not tested on animals.

Mountain Dew Original is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Mountain Dew Kickstart Orange Citrus Vegan?

Yes! Mountain Dew Kickstart Orange Citrus has no animal-based ingredients and it is not tested on animals.

Mountain Dew Kickstart Orange Citrus is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Mountain Dew Kickstart Fruit Punch Vegan?

Yes! Mountain Dew Kickstart Fruit Punch has no animal-based ingredients and it is not tested on animals.

Mountain Dew Kickstart Fruit Punch is a vegan-friendly product.

Is Mountain Dew Game Fuel Charged Original Dew Vegan?

Yes! Mountain Dew Game Fuel does not contain any animal-based ingredients.

Mountain Dew Game Fuel Charged Original Dew is a vegan-friendly product.

Final Words

This drink being vegan is good news for vegans who enjoy the taste of Mountain Dew. Vegan drinks are usually hard to come by in fast food chains, but now, with the knowledge that Mountain Dew Baja Blast is vegan, vegans can dine in Taco Bell without having to worry about what to drink.

Just remember to check the other ingredients in any foods you plan to consume to make sure that they are also vegan friendly!