FDA Bans Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food and Beverages

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a ban on the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food items, citing safety concerns. Effective Aug. 2, the regulation that previously authorized BVO will be revoked, following conclusive studies that highlight its potential adverse effects on human health.

The FDA’s decision comes after extensive studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which found that BVO poses health risks. The FDA initially proposed revoking the regulation in November 2023, and the final decision reflects a rigorous review process.

In line with FDA regulations, any product containing BVO had to list it on the label. However, the beverage industry has been gradually phasing out BVO. Major companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have already removed BVO from popular products such as Gatorade and Fanta.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has been a vocal advocate for the ban, emphasizing the chemical’s toxicity. Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors, praised the FDA’s move as a positive step toward ensuring food safety.

BVO, a chemical compound containing bromine — an element also found in fire retardants — has been used in small quantities in citrus-flavored drinks to maintain an even distribution of flavor. Despite its widespread use, concerns about its safety have persisted for decades.

Historically, BVO has faced scrutiny and bans worldwide. The United Kingdom banned BVO in 1970, followed by India in 1990, the European Union in 2008, and Japan in 2010. The FDA had also expressed concerns about BVO’s safety as early as 1970, regulating it as a food additive while conducting further safety assessments.

Despite these changes, some products still contain BVO. Sun Drop, a citrus-flavored soda manufactured by Keurig Dr Pepper, remains one of the few national brands using the additive. According to a statement emailed to Reuters, Keurig Dr Pepper is “actively reformulating the drink to no longer include the controversial ingredient.” It also added that it “would remain compliant with all state and federal regulations.”

The ban on BVO is expected to have minimal impact on the beverage market due to the industry’s shift toward alternative ingredients. As consumer awareness of food safety continues to grow, this decision by the FDA marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to eliminate potentially harmful substances from the food supply.