Understanding What Foods Contain BVO and Its Recent Ban

In a significant move for public health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially banned the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food and beverages in July 2024, with manufacturers given until August 2, 2025, to comply. This decision effectively removes a once-common additive from the American food supply, a chemical that was primarily found in specific citrus-flavored sodas and other fruity drinks.

Quick Summary

BVO is a food additive historically used as an emulsifier in citrus-flavored soft drinks and other beverages to prevent ingredient separation. Following health concerns and rodent studies, the FDA finalized a ban on BVO, leading manufacturers to reformulate products. Consumers should check labels for this additive until the compliance deadline.

Key Points

• FDA Ban: The U.S. FDA officially banned the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food and beverages in July 2024.

• Compliance Deadline: The effective compliance date for manufacturers to stop using BVO and remove old inventory is August 2, 2025.

• Primary Product Type: BVO was historically used as an emulsifier in citrus-flavored sodas, sports drinks, and other fruity beverages to keep ingredients from separating.

• Health Concerns: Scientific studies, particularly in rodents, have linked BVO to potential adverse health effects, especially concerning the thyroid gland due to bromine accumulation.

• Label Identification: Consumers can identify BVO on older product labels by looking for “brominated vegetable oil” or a specific type, such as “brominated soybean oil”.

• Global Status: BVO was already banned in numerous other countries, including the UK, Europe, Japan, and India, before the recent US ban.

What is Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)?

Brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, is a modified vegetable oil where bromine is added to the fat molecules. This process increases the oil's density, which allows it to serve as a stabilizing agent or emulsifier in certain drinks. In beverages, it prevents the citrus flavoring oils from separating from the water-based liquid and floating to the top, ensuring a consistent texture and appearance. For decades, BVO was used in small amounts for this purpose in the United States, though its use was restricted after being removed from the 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) list in 1970. Most major beverage manufacturers have voluntarily phased it out over the years.

The FDA Ban and Growing Health Concerns

The FDA's decision to revoke the authorization for BVO's use came after decades of evolving scientific research and growing consumer advocacy. Animal studies, particularly a recent one conducted in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), provided conclusive evidence that BVO could pose adverse health risks, especially concerning the thyroid gland. The element bromine, when consumed, can accumulate in the body's fat tissues and interfere with iodine absorption, which is vital for proper thyroid function. In July 2024, the FDA issued its final rule, effective August 2, 2024, with a compliance deadline of one year later. This followed actions in Europe, Japan, and other countries that banned the additive years prior.

Specific Products That Contained BVO

Historically, and up until the recent ban, BVO was most commonly found in citrus and fruit-flavored beverages. The products that have contained BVO varied over time as major manufacturers phased it out, but some notable examples include:

• Certain citrus-flavored sodas: This includes national brands like Sun Drop (manufactured by Keurig Dr Pepper), which has been actively reformulated. Store-brand versions from retailers like Walmart (e.g., Orangette orange soda), Food Lion, and Giant have also been identified as containing BVO in the past.
• Some sports drinks: Earlier formulations of drinks like Gatorade and Powerade contained BVO, but their parent companies, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, removed the additive years ago.
• Energy drinks: Various fruit-flavored energy drinks have also historically relied on BVO for emulsification.
• Fruit-flavored syrups: Products such as fruit-flavored syrups used in beverages and other food items could also contain BVO.
• Some baked goods: Although less common than in drinks, some baked goods have been noted to contain the additive as well.

How to Check for BVO on Ingredient Labels

Until the final compliance date in August 2025, and potentially longer if older inventory remains on shelves, it's prudent for consumers to check ingredient labels. Here are the key indicators to look for:

• Look for the explicit name: The ingredient will be listed as “brominated vegetable oil”.
• Check for the specific oil: In some cases, it might be listed more specifically, such as “brominated soybean oil”.
• Consider product type: Be particularly cautious with store-brand or smaller regional citrus-flavored beverages, which were more likely to still contain BVO than major national brands just before the ban.
• Look for visual cues: Drinks that appear uniformly cloudy or opaque may have once used an emulsifier like BVO, though new, safer alternatives are now used.

Comparison: Before and After the Ban

Feature	Before FDA Ban (Prior to July 2024)	After FDA Ban (Effective Aug 2, 2025)
Regulatory Status	Approved as a food additive with limited use (15 ppm) based on interim safety reviews.	Prohibited for use in all food and beverages in the U.S..
Primary Use	Emulsifier and stabilizer for citrus and fruit-flavored beverage oils.	Replaced with alternative emulsifying agents.
Major Brands (Examples)	Some specific products like Sun Drop, store-brand sodas. Large brands had already removed it.	All products sold in the U.S. must be reformulated to be BVO-free.
Consumer Check	Reading ingredient labels was crucial to identify the additive in specific drinks.	Assurance that BVO is not an ingredient in new products; checking labels remains a good practice for health-conscious consumers.

A Broader Look at Food Additives

This ban highlights the importance of ongoing scrutiny of food additives. Regulatory bodies like the FDA continuously reassess ingredients as new scientific data becomes available. For consumers, understanding ingredients and reading labels is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Choosing whole, minimally processed foods naturally minimizes exposure to many additives. When consuming packaged products, staying informed about regulatory changes and manufacturer practices is key to making informed dietary choices.

Conclusion

The FDA's ban on brominated vegetable oil marks a significant step in food safety regulation in the United States, aligning with stricter standards already in place in other parts of the world. While BVO was a common emulsifier in citrus-flavored drinks for decades, health concerns about its potential impact on the thyroid and nervous system ultimately led to its prohibition. As manufacturers transition to new formulations, consumers can be assured that products made after the August 2025 compliance date will not contain BVO. To stay informed, rely on resources from authoritative bodies like the FDA, which you can read more about here: FDA Revokes Regulation Allowing the Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) in Food. Ultimately, reading labels and prioritizing whole foods remains the most reliable strategy for controlling what goes into your body.

Additional Resources

• The FDA provides comprehensive information on the ban and the safety concerns surrounding BVO.
• Consumer advocacy groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) have documented the history of BVO and advocated for its removal.
• Reports from research organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) have tracked which products contained BVO prior to the ban.

References

• FDA. (2024). Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO). Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/brominated-vegetable-oil-bvo.
• WebMD. (2025). Is Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) Safe?. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/diet/brominated-vegetable-oil.
• CSPI. (2024). BVO: The FDA finally bans brominated vegetable oil. Retrieved from https://www.cspi.org/cspi-news/bvo-fda-finally-bans-brominated-vegetable-oil.
• CSPI. (2023). BVO: Why the FDA might finally ban brominated vegetable oil. Retrieved from https://www.cspi.org/cspi-news/bvo-why-fda-might-finally-ban-brominated-vegetable-oil.
• LiveNOW from FOX. (2024). Which drinks contain brominated vegetable oil? Food additive ban takes effect. Retrieved from https://www.livenowfox.com/news/drinks-with-brominated-vegetable-oil-bvo-fda-ban.
• Times of India. (2024). This vegetable oil added in sports drinks and sodas can... Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/this-vegetable-oil-added-in-sports-drinks-and-sodas-can-damage-heart-liver-and-brain/articleshow/111461059.cms.
• USA Today. (2023). Sodas with BVO? What to know about brominated vegetable oil in... Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/11/03/what-sodas-have-bvo/71435888007/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was BVO added to food and drinks?

BVO was added to certain beverages, particularly citrus-flavored ones, to act as an emulsifier. Its purpose was to prevent the flavor oils from separating from the liquid and floating to the top, ensuring a consistent mixture and appearance.

What are the health concerns associated with BVO?

Health concerns linked to BVO, primarily from animal studies, involve potential harm to the thyroid gland and nervous system. Bromine from BVO can accumulate in body fat and may interfere with the body's iodine uptake.

Which specific sodas and drinks contained BVO?

In the past, drinks like Sun Drop, Mountain Dew, Powerade, and Fanta contained BVO. However, major brands like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo voluntarily removed it years ago. Until the recent ban, some smaller, store-brand citrus sodas were more likely to contain the additive.

Is it possible to still find products with BVO on store shelves?

Yes, older products manufactured before the ban's compliance date of August 2, 2025, could still be on store shelves. It is always best to check the ingredient label for confirmation.

What is replacing BVO in reformulated products?

Manufacturers are transitioning to alternative emulsifying agents to replace BVO. These alternatives are already used in other countries where BVO was previously banned and are considered safer for consumption.

Is BVO still used anywhere in the world?

Following the ban in the US and countries like the UK, Europe, Japan, and India, the use of BVO as a food additive has been phased out in most major food markets. Its continued use is very rare.

Does this ban affect other food additives?

The BVO ban is part of an ongoing reassessment of food chemical safety by regulatory bodies like the FDA. Other additives are under review, and the creation of an Office of Food Chemical Safety indicates this will remain a priority.