The Controversial History of BVO in Mountain Dew
For many years, brominated vegetable oil (BVO) was a common food additive in citrus-flavored soft drinks across the United States, including Mountain Dew. Its primary function was as an emulsifier, helping to suspend the citrus flavoring oils evenly throughout the liquid, preventing them from separating and floating to the top. However, BVO's presence was a point of concern for consumers and health advocates, especially since it contained bromine, an element that can have adverse effects on the body at high levels.
Starting in the late 2000s, public awareness campaigns, including one famously launched by a Mississippi teenager, put pressure on beverage manufacturers like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola to remove the ingredient. This public outcry eventually led to voluntary changes by the industry.
The Phase-Out and Final Removal
Following the public pressure, PepsiCo announced in 2014 its intention to remove BVO from all its products. While the ingredient lingered in some Mountain Dew formulations for a few more years, the company confirmed that it was finally removed from the soft drink by 2020. For years, the U.S. FDA maintained an interim-use status for BVO, allowing it in small amounts while more studies were conducted. However, in 2022, a study by the FDA and the National Institutes of Health identified potential adverse effects on the thyroid in rodents, leading the FDA to re-evaluate its stance. This re-evaluation ultimately culminated in the official ban.
Global Perspective and Regulatory Action
While the American market took decades to fully phase out BVO, the additive was banned in many other countries much earlier. Nations across Europe, as well as Japan and India, restricted its use decades ago due to safety concerns. The American version of Mountain Dew was historically formulated differently than its international counterparts to comply with these global regulations. The 2024 FDA ban brought the U.S. in line with these international standards, providing a clear and definitive end to BVO use in American beverages.
Mountain Dew's Modern Recipe and Alternatives
With BVO now a thing of the past, Mountain Dew and other citrus sodas use different ingredients to achieve the same stabilizing effect. Common replacements are considered safe for consumption and include:
- Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (SAIB): Used as an emulsifier and weight agent.
- Glycerol Ester of Wood Rosin: Another emulsifier that helps distribute oils.
- Gum Arabic: A natural stabilizer derived from acacia trees.
Today, a quick look at the ingredient list of a standard US Mountain Dew will show that it no longer contains BVO. The ingredients now typically include carbonated water, high-fructose corn syrup, concentrated orange juice, citric acid, natural flavor, sodium benzoate, caffeine, sodium citrate, gum arabic, erythorbic acid, calcium disodium EDTA, and Yellow 5. This modern formulation, however, is still high in sugar or artificial sweeteners, and contains synthetic food dyes, which remain important considerations for a healthy diet.
The Importance of Reading Labels
While major brands like PepsiCo have removed BVO, it is still crucial for consumers to check the ingredient labels of beverages, especially for smaller or lesser-known store brands. Since the FDA gave manufacturers until August 2025 to comply with the ban, some older stock might still be on shelves. This practice is part of a broader nutritional awareness that encourages consumers to understand what's in their food and beverages, rather than assuming brand recognition equates to healthfulness. For optimal health, dietitians often recommend limiting the consumption of high-sugar, ultra-processed drinks in favor of water, unsweetened tea, or naturally flavored seltzers.
BVO vs. Common Emulsifiers
To provide further context, here is a comparison between BVO and the ingredients now used in many soft drinks:
| Feature | Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) | Modern Alternatives (e.g., Gum Arabic) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Emulsifier, keeps citrus oils suspended | Emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener |
| Regulatory Status (US) | Banned as of July 2024 | Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA |
| Health Concerns | Linked to potential thyroid and neurological issues at high intake | Generally considered safe for consumption |
| Presence in Mountain Dew | Removed by 2020 | Included in current formulation |
| Global Status | Banned in EU and Japan since 1970/2008 | Widely permitted globally |
Conclusion: A Shift Toward Better Regulation
In conclusion, Mountain Dew no longer contains BVO, with PepsiCo having phased out the controversial ingredient by 2020 in response to public pressure. The eventual FDA ban in July 2024 solidified this change, ensuring all beverages in the U.S. will be BVO-free by August 2025. This move reflects a broader industry and regulatory shift towards greater food safety and transparency. While the removal of BVO is a positive step, consumers should remember that sodas remain high in sugar and other additives, and a balanced nutritional diet still requires thoughtful beverage choices. The story of BVO in Mountain Dew is a powerful example of how consumer advocacy can drive significant changes in food production and regulation.
For more information on food additives and nutrition, you can consult the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).
