FDA Bans Brominated Vegetable Oil from U.S. Food and Beverages Due to Health Risks

On July 3, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared the prohibition of the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food items. The decision came after the agency determined that BVO is no longer safe for consumption due to potential adverse health effects in humans.

What is Brominated Vegetable Oil?

Brominated vegetable oil is an oil that has been modified with bromine and primarily used as a food stabilizer in citrus drinks to prevent the flavoring from separating and floating to the top. The FDA had previously authorized the use of BVO in small amounts of 15 parts per million or lower. However, following studies that found toxic effects on the thyroid gland, the FDA has revoked the regulation that allowed BVO usage.

Reasons for the Ban

The FDA based its ban on the results of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, which revealed the potential for adverse health effects in humans. Specifically, research found that BVO can interfere with the function of the thyroid gland, leading to conditions such as hypothyroidism, weight gain, and depression.

The ban on BVO is set to take effect in the U.S. on Aug. 2, 2024, and companies will have one year to reformulate, relabel, and cease selling products containing BVO.

Identification of BVO-Containing Products

While most major soda brands have already phased out BVO from their formulations, some products still contain it. For instance, Sun Drop, produced by Keurig Dr Pepper, and Great Value Orangette orange soda, available at Walmart, are known to include BVO. Additionally, store-brand orange sodas at retailers such as Giant and HEB have also been found to contain BVO.

How to Identify BVO in Drinks

To determine whether a soda contains BVO, consumers are advised to carefully inspect the ingredient list, where it should be explicitly stated if the drink contains brominated vegetable oil. Citrus-flavored drinks are more likely to contain BVO, and cloudy appearances may indicate its presence. Generic or off-brand sodas are also more prone to containing BVO than name brands. When in doubt, consumers are encouraged to inquire about the ingredients when consuming fountain soda in restaurants or when purchasing citrus-flavored beverages.

Additional Drinks and BVO

While BVO is commonly found in carbonated drinks, it can also be present in non-carbonated beverages. Therefore, consumers are advised to double-check the label before purchasing any citrus-flavored drinks. However, 100% fruit juice is not a concern for containing BVO.

BVO in Major Beverage Brands

It is worth noting that major beverage manufacturers such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Gatorade no longer use BVO in any of their products, ensuring that consumers can enjoy their beverages without the presence of this food additive.