FDA bans brominated vegetable oil, citing health risks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided to ban using brominated vegetable oil in beverages. This substance, used since the 1930s as an emulsifier, has been deemed potentially hazardous to consumer health.

Following the latest toxicological studies, the FDA officially withdrew the registration of brominated vegetable oil, commonly known as BVO. James Jones, the FDA's Deputy Commissioner for Foods, emphasized that this decision exemplifies the continuous monitoring of new scientific evidence and taking appropriate regulatory action when study results do not confirm the continued safe use of food additives.

BVO has been used as an emulsifying agent since the 1930s, ensuring the even distribution of flavoring substances in citrus drinks. Its unique properties stem from bromine atoms attached to the triglyceride molecule, which gives this oil the appropriate density to mix with water and other fats.

BVO was used for decades, with the FDA deeming it generally safe. However, as time passed, concerns about its potential toxicity emerged, prompting the agency to limit its use to a maximum of 15 parts per million and only in citrus drinks.

Research conducted over the years gradually provided more evidence of the potential risks associated with BVO. A British study from the 1970s showed that bromine accumulates in human tissues, and animal studies suggested a link between high concentrations of BVO and cardiac and behavioral problems.

It is worth noting that many countries worldwide, including India, Japan, and EU member states, have already banned the use of BVO. In the United States, California introduced a ban in October 2022, with an effective date in 2027.

Despite the delayed response from the FDA, major soft drink producers such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Co. have preemptively started phasing out BVO from their products over the past decade. James Jones confirmed that few beverages in the U.S. currently contain this substance, as most producers have reformulated their recipes, replacing BVO with alternative ingredients.