FDA Bans Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food Starting in August

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) in food products, effective Aug. 2, 2024. This decision follows extensive studies indicating that BVO, primarily used in citrus-flavored beverages, can no longer be deemed safe for human consumption.

BVO is a chemical compound formed by reacting bromine with unsaturated vegetable oils. For decades, it has served as a stabilizer in carbonated drinks to prevent flavor separation. Historically, the FDA allowed its use in limited quantities, not exceeding 15 parts per million. However, recent safety concerns and scientific scrutiny prompted a regulatory review.

The FDA's decision to ban BVO comes after over 50 years of research highlighting its potential health risks. In 2022, the agency published a study in Food and Chemical Toxicology showing adverse effects from high BVO exposure in rodents. The study revealed possible thyroid damage and other health issues.

In response, the FDA proposed revoking the regulation in November 2023. The final rule, effective July 3, 2024, formally prohibits BVO, with a transition period allowing companies to reformulate products and adjust labeling. “The data from animal and human studies, including recent FDA research on BVO, no longer support its safety in food,” the FDA stated. The transition period will give companies a year to remove BVO from their products and update labels.

The FDA’s decision is backed by studies conducted with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which found potential negative effects on thyroid function and increased bromine levels in the blood and tissues of rodents exposed to BVO.

In the past, BVO was banned in the UK in 1970, India in 1990, the European Union in 2008, and Japan in 2010. Many companies have already phased out BVO. PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, for instance, have removed BVO from products like Gatorade and Fanta. Walmart has worked with its suppliers to reformulate products, ensuring compliance before the FDA’s deadline.

“This new regulation is a positive step in the right direction,” said Michael Ashley Schulman, Director of Investments, Running Point Capital Advisors. The FDA's decision underscores a growing trend toward safer food additives and greater transparency in product ingredients.