Does Diet Coke Contain BVO?

January 1, 2026 •

3 min read

In 2014, the Coca-Cola company removed brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from all of its products, including Diet Coke, well before the FDA's final ban on the additive. This means consumers can be confident that there is no BVO in Diet Coke purchased today.

Quick Summary

Diet Coke does not contain brominated vegetable oil (BVO), an additive that was historically used as an emulsifier in citrus-flavored sodas. Coca-Cola voluntarily removed BVO from its products in 2014, and the FDA finalized a federal ban in 2024.

Key Points

No BVO in Diet Coke: Coca-Cola removed brominated vegetable oil from all its products, including Diet Coke, back in 2014.
Preemptive Action: Coca-Cola's decision was voluntary and influenced by consumer pressure, happening years before the government-mandated ban.
Why BVO was banned: The FDA banned BVO in 2024 due to animal studies showing potential health concerns, such as adverse effects on the thyroid gland.
BVO alternatives: Manufacturers now use approved emulsifiers like sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) or glycerol ester of wood rosin in citrus-flavored beverages.
Check the Label: While Diet Coke is safe, consumers should check the ingredient lists of store-brand or smaller-brand citrus sodas for BVO until the federal compliance date.

What is BVO and why was it used?

Brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, is a modified vegetable oil with added bromine atoms. It was used as a food additive in some fruit-flavored beverages to keep flavorings from separating. By increasing the density of citrus oils, BVO helped maintain a consistent mixture.

The shifting regulatory status of BVO

Initially classified as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) by the FDA, BVO was removed from the GRAS list in 1970 due to safety concerns. The FDA allowed its continued use on an interim basis at a maximum limit, pending further studies. While this interim status lasted for decades in the U.S., many other countries banned BVO much earlier.

The shift away from BVO by Coca-Cola

Major beverage companies began phasing out BVO before the FDA's final ruling. Following a consumer petition, PepsiCo removed BVO from Gatorade. In May 2014, both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo announced they would remove BVO from all their products. Coca-Cola completed this removal by the end of 2014, replacing it with other stabilizers. This proactive decision was driven by changing consumer preferences and is why Diet Coke is now BVO-free.

What are Diet Coke's current ingredients?

Diet Coke's current ingredient list does not include brominated vegetable oil. The standard U.S. formulation of Diet Coke contains:

Carbonated Water
Caramel Color
Aspartame
Phosphoric Acid
Potassium Benzoate (to protect taste)
Natural Flavors
Citric Acid
Caffeine

For beverages that previously contained BVO, manufacturers now use alternative stabilizers like sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) and glycerol ester of wood rosin (ester gum). These alternatives serve the same function of keeping flavor oils dispersed without the health concerns linked to BVO. Diet Coke's stability is maintained through its specific blend of “Natural Flavors,” acids, and preservatives.


Feature	Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)	Common Alternatives (SAIB, Ester Gum)
Function	Emulsifier for citrus flavorings	Emulsifier and stabilizer
Regulatory Status (U.S.)	Federally banned as of 2024	Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
Health Concerns	Accumulates in body fat; potential thyroid and neurological effects	Considered safe for food use by regulatory bodies
Use in Diet Coke	No longer used since 2014	Not applicable for Diet Coke, but used in some other brands

The official FDA ban on BVO

The FDA's federal ban on BVO followed a re-evaluation of research and new animal studies. The studies indicated potential negative effects on the thyroid gland at high exposure levels. The FDA issued a final rule in July 2024, revoking authorization for BVO use effective August 2, 2024, with a one-year compliance period. This federal action was preceded by state bans, including California's in 2023, ensuring BVO's removal from the U.S. food supply.

Health concerns associated with BVO

The health concerns linked to BVO are centered around bromine accumulation in the body, particularly in fat tissue. Excessive, long-term consumption of drinks with BVO was associated with potential issues, such as thyroid disruption and, in extreme cases, neurological symptoms. Animal studies also showed bromine buildup in organs.

Navigating ingredients as a consumer

Consumers can avoid BVO by checking ingredient lists. While major brands like Diet Coke are BVO-free, some smaller or store-brand citrus sodas may have contained it until the August 2025 federal compliance deadline. The FDA provides updated information on the ban on its website.

Conclusion: Is Diet Coke BVO-free?

The answer is definitively no; Diet Coke does not contain BVO. Coca-Cola voluntarily removed BVO from its products, including Diet Coke, in 2014, replacing it with approved alternatives. This change occurred years before the FDA's final federal ban in 2024, driven by consumer demand and health concerns. Consumers can be confident that Diet Coke is free of this controversial additive. This demonstrates how consumer advocacy can lead to changes in corporate practices and food additive regulations.

A timeline of BVO regulation

1920s: BVO introduced as a food ingredient.
1958: FDA classifies BVO as GRAS.
1970: FDA removes BVO from GRAS list and allows interim use at 15 ppm limit.
2014: Coca-Cola announces BVO removal from all products.
2022: FDA publishes new animal study on thyroid effects.
2023: California bans BVO.
July 2024: FDA issues final rule to revoke BVO authorization.
August 2025: Federal BVO ban fully enforced after compliance period.

Frequently Asked Questions

BVO is an emulsifier historically used in citrus-flavored soft drinks and other beverages to prevent the flavoring oils from separating and rising to the surface.

Coca-Cola removed BVO from its products in 2014 following consumer pressure and growing awareness of potential health concerns associated with the additive, years before a federal ban was issued.

There is no evidence that the BVO previously used in other Coca-Cola products caused harm at the low levels used. However, studies on high consumption and animal tests raised health concerns, prompting its removal.

In citrus-flavored drinks where BVO was once used, manufacturers have adopted alternatives like sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) and glycerol ester of wood rosin.

The FDA finalized the ban on BVO in 2024 after reviewing new animal studies that showed potential harm, specifically to the thyroid gland, at realistic exposure levels.

While the Coca-Cola company used BVO in other fruit-flavored drinks like Fanta and Powerade, standard Diet Coke does not have citrus flavoring and did not typically contain the ingredient.

Most major beverage brands no longer use BVO, but some smaller brands and older stock may have contained it until the federal compliance date of August 2025.