Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO): Why It Was Removed from US Food
Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is a food additive that was used for decades in citrus-flavored soft drinks to keep the citrus flavoring evenly distributed throughout the beverage. It is vegetable oil that has been chemically modified with bromine. The EU, Japan, India, and many other countries banned BVO long before the US acted. In 2024, the FDA revoked its authorization for use in food, citing animal studies showing adverse health effects.
Ingredients change. Always check the actual product label before purchasing. Information on this page is for educational purposes only.
What Is Brominated Vegetable Oil?
BVO is produced by reacting vegetable oil (typically soybean or corn oil) with bromine. The resulting compound is denser than water, which allows it to keep citrus flavor oils suspended in beverages rather than floating to the top. It has been used primarily in citrus-flavored sports drinks and sodas.
Health Concerns and Animal Studies
Animal studies have shown that BVO can accumulate in body fat and organs over time. High doses in animal studies have been associated with heart lesions, behavioral changes, and reproductive effects. Bromine can compete with iodine in the body, potentially affecting thyroid function. The FDA's 2024 decision to revoke BVO's authorization was based on a study showing adverse effects in rats, including changes to the thyroid.
Regulatory History: Banned Abroad, Slow to Act in the US
The EU banned BVO as a food additive decades ago. Japan, India, and many other countries followed. In the US, BVO had been on the FDA's provisional list since 1970 — meaning it was allowed to remain in use while safety questions were being studied. Major beverage companies including PepsiCo and Coca-Cola voluntarily removed BVO from their products years before the FDA acted, partly in response to consumer pressure. The FDA formally revoked BVO's authorization in July 2024.
Where Was BVO Found?
BVO was primarily used in citrus-flavored soft drinks and sports drinks. Most major brands removed it voluntarily before the FDA ban. It may still appear in some smaller or regional brands. Check the ingredients list for 'brominated vegetable oil' or 'BVO'.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is brominated vegetable oil still in drinks?
- The FDA revoked BVO's authorization in 2024. Most major brands had already removed it voluntarily. Some smaller brands may still be reformulating. Check the ingredients list for 'brominated vegetable oil' or 'BVO'.
- Why was BVO banned in the EU but not the US until 2024?
- The EU applies a precautionary principle and banned BVO long ago due to safety concerns. The US FDA kept BVO on a provisional list while studies continued. After a 2024 animal study showed adverse thyroid effects, the FDA revoked its authorization.
- Is BVO dangerous?
- Animal studies at high doses have shown adverse effects including heart lesions and thyroid changes. The FDA concluded the evidence was sufficient to revoke authorization. At typical dietary exposures in humans, the risk is uncertain, but the precautionary approach is to avoid it.