Chicago, IL – Watch out for dollar store citrus sodas! The FDA has officially banned brominated vegetable oil (BVO), an ingredient still found in some generic citrus-flavored drinks.
According to the FDA, the decision follows extensive studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), revealing potential adverse health effects, particularly on the thyroid. BVO, used for nearly a century as a stabilizer in citrus-flavored beverages, has been gradually phased out by many major manufacturers. Recent data suggest that BVO consumption leads to increased levels of bromine in body tissues, with high exposure levels negatively impacting the thyroid in rodent studies.
Despite the voluntary removal of BVO by major companies like Coca-Cola and Pepsi in 2023, the ingredient remains in some smaller brands and generic citrus sodas, commonly found in dollar stores. If the drink looks cloudy throughout the bottle, it may contain BVO.
The FDA’s final rule to revoke the regulation allowing BVO’s use in food will take effect on August 2, 2024. Companies are given a one-year compliance period to reformulate, relabel, and deplete their inventory of BVO-containing products.
