Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is an ingredient that’s added to sodas to prevent citrus flavoring from separating and floating to the top of the drink. While once widely used, BVO has been slowly phased out by the beverage industry due to health risks.
Recent studies have indicated consumption of BVO is linked to bioaccumulation of bromine as well as negative effects on the thyroid.
The FDA’s move comes after California banned the ingredient in October, becoming the first state to do so. The agency said it was similarly reviewing other additives, including three other ingredients banned by the recent California legislation.
“The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health … found the potential for adverse health effects in humans,” James Jones, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, said in a statement.
The FDA’s proposal on Thursday was welcomed by consumer organizations.
“The evidence is clear that brominated vegetable oil in sodas and other beverages poses an unacceptable risk to our health,” Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said in a statement.
“Toxic additives like BVO that have been shown to pose toxic risks to the thyroid and other chronic health problems should not be allowed in our food. We’re encouraged that the FDA has re-examined recent studies documenting the health risks posed by BVO and is taking action to prohibit its use.”
