The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking steps to ban a commonly-used ingredient found in fruity sodas and sports drinks. BVO, or brominated vegetable oil, has been deemed harmful to humans and the FDA is proposing to deny its registration.
BVO has been used in citrus-flavored sodas since the 1930s to prevent the flavorings from separating and floating to the top. It works attaching bromine atoms to a triglyceride, creating a dense oil that mixes effectively with water.
However, animal studies have indicated that BVO may accumulate in fat tissues and disrupt the function of iodine in the thyroid. As a result, several countries, including India, Japan, and EU nations, have already banned BVO. California has also passed legislation to outlaw the ingredient 2027.
The FDA’s stance on BVO has changed over time. It was initially classified as safe in the 1950s but concerns about its toxicity led to a reversal of its status in the 1960s. The FDA then allowed limited concentrations of BVO in citrus-flavored drinks, up to 15 parts per million.
Gathering data on the long-term risks of small amounts of BVO has been challenging, but recent animal studies have convinced the FDA of the need for a complete ban. One study from 1970 showed that BVO can harm human tissue, while another study highlighted concerns about its impact on rats.
Fortunately, major soda companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Co. have already been phasing out BVO from their products over the past decade. Only a few beverages in the US still contain the ingredient.
This potential ban on BVO could be a precursor to further regulatory changes. The FDA is currently reviewing rules on food additives and considering automatic prohibitions on food coloring agents that are found to be carcinogenic. This may lead to a more streamlined regulatory process.
The final decision on the FDA’s reclassification of BVO is expected in early 2024. However, with effective alternatives already in use, BVO is unlikely to be missed in citrus beverages.
Public comments on the proposed ban for BVO are open until January 17, 2024. For more health-related reports, visit our website.