Gatorade's Decision to Remove BVO
Following a public petition and growing consumer concerns in 2012, PepsiCo, the maker of Gatorade, announced in January 2013 that it would remove brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from its product line. The company cited the negative perception of the ingredient among some consumers as the reason for the change. This move marked a significant shift toward cleaner ingredient labels for many large beverage companies, predating the later federal regulation of the substance.
The BVO Controversy and Public Pressure
The ingredient BVO, which was used as an emulsifier to prevent citrus flavorings from separating and floating to the top of beverages, drew scrutiny for decades. Though it had been regulated as a food additive by the FDA since 1970, new studies linking high consumption to potential health effects began to raise alarms. In 2012, a petition on Change.org, started by a Mississippi teenager, gained significant traction and brought the issue to the forefront of public discussion, ultimately influencing PepsiCo's decision.
What Replaced BVO in Gatorade?
To maintain the stability and appearance of its fruit-flavored sports drinks, Gatorade reformulated its products using alternative ingredients. The primary substitute for BVO was sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB), which serves a similar emulsifying function and is widely permitted as a food additive. Another common alternative is glycerol ester of rosin, which is also used in other beverages and products like chewing gum.
The Long Road to a Federal Ban
The removal of BVO from Gatorade and other major brands was a voluntary, market-driven change for over a decade. However, the regulatory landscape shifted significantly in 2024. In July of that year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a rule revoking the regulation that allowed BVO in food and beverages. The decision was based on new scientific studies, conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, that identified potential health concerns associated with BVO consumption. The official ban took effect on August 2, 2024, with manufacturers given one year to comply. This federal action solidifies that no mainstream beverage, including Gatorade, can legally contain BVO in the U.S.
Conclusion
To put it simply, no, BVO is not in Gatorade. PepsiCo voluntarily removed the ingredient in 2013 in response to consumer petitions. This decision was later supported by a final ruling from the FDA in July 2024, which banned BVO from all food and beverages in the United States, citing potential health risks identified in recent studies. Consumers can now be confident that Gatorade products are BVO-free, relying instead on alternatives like sucrose acetate isobutyrate and glycerol ester of rosin to ensure product consistency. This outcome highlights the powerful role that consumer advocacy plays in shaping the safety and transparency of the food industry.
Center for Science in the Public Interest: Brominated vegetable oil (bvo)
What are some BVO alternatives that replaced it in Gatorade?
Gatorade replaced BVO with sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) and, in some cases, glycerol ester of rosin. These ingredients perform the same emulsifying function as BVO but are not associated with the same health concerns.
What is BVO and why was it used?
BVO, or brominated vegetable oil, is a vegetable oil that has been modified with bromine. It was used as a stabilizing agent to ensure that citrus flavorings remained suspended evenly throughout the beverage, preventing separation over time.
What health concerns were linked to BVO?
Scientific studies indicated that high levels of BVO consumption could lead to the accumulation of bromide in body fat and tissues, potentially causing health issues related to the thyroid gland and nervous system. This led to the FDA banning its use in 2024.
When did BVO removed from Gatorade?
PepsiCo announced it would remove BVO from Gatorade in January 2013, with the reformulation occurring shortly thereafter.
Did the FDA force Gatorade to remove BVO?
No, Gatorade's removal of BVO in 2013 was a voluntary, market-driven decision in response to consumer petitions. The FDA's formal ban on BVO didn't occur until July 2024, over a decade later.
Which Gatorade flavors contained BVO?
BVO was typically found in citrus-flavored products. For Gatorade, this included flavors like Orange and Lemon-Lime before the 2013 reformulation.
Does the FDA ban mean I should avoid any product that previously contained BVO?
The FDA's ban, which took effect in August 2024 with a one-year compliance period, is aimed at removing BVO from the U.S. food supply. While most major brands like Gatorade removed it long ago, it's wise to check the labels of lesser-known or store-brand fruit drinks for older inventory, especially citrus flavors.
