Calcium Disodium EDTA, which is banned within drinks in the UK, was found in Mountain Dew.
In animal studies, the crystalline powder caused adverse reproductive and developmental effects and has been shown to contribute to cancer of the colon.
No evidence exists suggesting the compound exerts genotoxic or carcinogenic effects. Overall, Calcium Disodium EDTA seems to be safe for use as a food additive, as the noted toxic doses are higher than can be achieved via the addition of Calcium Disodium EDTA to food. However, human data is limited and the gross of available (human and animal) data, as well as the ADI, stems from several decades ago.
However, that paper is almost a decade old. I found this one from just a couple years ago which states:
Numerous studies in healthy animals have shown no considerable acute or repeat dose toxicity of EDTA. Based on a no observed adverse effects level (NOAEL) of 250 mg/kg body weight (bw) for Fe-EDTA, international authorities recommend an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of maximum 1.9 mg EDTA/kg bw for humans.
I worked with someone who downed several bottles of Mt. Dew a day. One day he was laying on the floor of the office and I had to take him to the ER for kidney stones.
The substance:
But what about human studies?
This paper (PDF warning) states:
However, that paper is almost a decade old. I found this one from just a couple years ago which states:
Seems to be safe? Well, good enough for me. Gulp gulp gulp.
I worked with someone who downed several bottles of Mt. Dew a day. One day he was laying on the floor of the office and I had to take him to the ER for kidney stones.