
Due to the fact that brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is no longer considered safe, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Tuesday that it would be revoking the rule that allowed for its use in food products, effective August 2nd.
Bromine, which is present in fire retardants, is the element that makes up the chemical substance known as BVO. To ensure that the flavor is dispersed uniformly throughout the beverage, it is currently legal to use tiny amounts of BVO in some citrus-flavored beverages.
Having established the potential for harmful effects in people, the FDA stated that it had concluded that BVO was not fit for use. These investigations were carried out in partnership with the National Institutes of Health.
The proposal to rescind the regulation was initially made by the agency in November 2023.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that the UK was the first to prohibit the use of BVO in 1970.
The FDA decided in 1970 that the use of BVO in food was not widely regarded as safe due to concerns over its toxicity. The agency started performing safety investigations while concurrently regulating BVO as an additive in food after this event.
“The FDA’s new regulation to not allow BVO as a food additive is a terrific positive step in the right direction,” stated Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors.
According to FDA regulations, any company using BVO in its product was liable to clearly mention it on the label. Over time, many drink makers added an alternative ingredient in place of BVO, making it uncommon in beverages around the U.S. anymore.
Giants like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are among those who no longer use BVO, having replaced it in their drinks like Fanta and Gatorade, respectively.
A spokesperson for Walmart conveyed via email that the company is aware of the FDA’s recent decision concerning the use of BVO in food. They explained that Walmart has been collaborating with suppliers of its private brands to reformulate these products.
The spokesperson further noted that only a small number of Walmart private brand items still contain BVO. These products are anticipated to be reformulated before the FDA compliance deadline.
Keurig Dr Pepper is among the firms in the country still using BVO in its Sun Drop colas. However, it’s important to note that the company is actively working on changing the formulation of the beverage to replace it, as per an emailed statement. The company is committed to complying with all federal rules and regulations.