What Replaced BVO in Citrus Sodas and Beverages?

According to the FDA's final rule, the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in foods and beverages was revoked, with manufacturers having until August 2, 2025, to comply with the new regulation. But what replaced BVO in popular citrus-flavored drinks? The primary replacements are Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (SAIB) and Glycerol Ester of Wood Rosin (GEWR).

Quick Summary

Major beverage companies have transitioned from brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a former emulsifier, to safer alternatives like sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) and glycerol ester of wood rosin (GEWR). These substitutes perform the same function of keeping flavoring oils uniformly suspended in drinks. Public pressure and health concerns over BVO's potential risks spurred this industry shift, culminating in regulatory action.

Key Points

• Primary Replacements: Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (SAIB) and Glycerol Ester of Wood Rosin (GEWR) are the main food additives that have replaced BVO in many fruit-flavored beverages.

• Emulsifier Function: Like BVO, SAIB and GEWR function as emulsifiers and weighting agents, keeping flavor oils uniformly suspended in drinks to prevent separation.

• FDA Regulation: The FDA has revoked its authorization for BVO's use in the United States, with a compliance deadline for manufacturers in August 2025.

• Global Ban: BVO has been banned for several years in other regions, including the European Union, Japan, and India.

• Other Alternatives: Natural alternatives like gum arabic, modified cellulose, and locust bean gum can also be used as stabilizers.

• Major Brand Transition: Companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola voluntarily phased out BVO from many products years ago following consumer pressure.

The Industry's Move Away from Brominated Vegetable Oil

For decades, brominated vegetable oil (BVO) was used by the food industry, primarily in citrus-flavored beverages. Its purpose was to act as an emulsifier, preventing the flavor oils from separating and rising to the top of the drink. This created a visually uniform and appealing product. However, as health concerns mounted and studies linked high doses of BVO to potential adverse health effects, major beverage manufacturers began phasing it out.

The most significant pressure came from consumers. In 2013, following an online petition, PepsiCo announced it would remove BVO from its Gatorade products, replacing it with sucrose acetate isobutyrate. A year later, Coca-Cola followed suit, removing BVO from products like Powerade and Fanta. The FDA's recent regulatory changes further cement this shift, making it a legal requirement for manufacturers to use approved alternatives.

The Key Replacements for BVO

Two primary alternatives have emerged to perform the same function as BVO: sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) and glycerol ester of wood rosin (GEWR). Both are designed to maintain the stability of flavor emulsions in beverages. In some cases, companies use a combination of these ingredients to achieve the desired effect.

• Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (SAIB): This synthetic ester is a high-purity, distilled liquid that effectively acts as a weighting agent to stabilize emulsions. It helps keep flavor oils suspended evenly throughout the drink, similar to BVO. SAIB is thermally stable, odorless, and tasteless, making it a reliable ingredient for beverage manufacturing. It has also been approved for use in Europe and is categorized as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) by the FDA for specific uses.
• Glycerol Ester of Wood Rosin (GEWR): Also known as ester gum, GEWR is derived from pine trees and is a common alternative to BVO in citrus-flavored beverages. It is created by reacting refined wood rosin with glycerin. GEWR functions as a stabilizer, preventing flavor oils from separating. Its use is also common as a chewing gum base ingredient.

Other Alternatives Used in Beverages

Besides the two primary replacements, a few other ingredients can serve as emulsifiers or stabilizers in beverage formulations:

• Gum Arabic: Sourced from the acacia tree, this natural gum is an effective emulsifier and provides a smooth mouthfeel to beverages.
• Modified Cellulose: A plant-derived ingredient, modified cellulose can also act as a stabilizer in food and drinks.
• Locust Bean Gum: Another plant-based gum, this ingredient is also used as a stabilizer in various food products.

Comparison: BVO vs. Modern Replacements

Feature	Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)	Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (SAIB)	Glycerol Ester of Wood Rosin (GEWR)
Function	Emulsifier, weighting agent to suspend citrus oils.	Emulsifier, weighting agent.	Emulsifier, stabilizer, weighting agent.
Source	Vegetable oil modified with bromine.	Synthetic ester derived from sucrose.	Derived from refined pine wood rosin and glycerin.
Health Concerns	Linked to potential neurological, thyroid, and heart issues in animal studies.	Considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for specified uses.	Considered safe for food use based on evaluations.
Regulatory Status	FDA revoked authorization; banned in EU, Japan, India, and Canada.	Approved in US and Europe for use in beverages.	Approved for use in US, Europe, and elsewhere.
Industry Use	Formerly widespread in US; phased out by major brands.	Used widely by major brands as BVO replacement.	Common alternative, also found in chewing gum.

Conclusion

The move away from brominated vegetable oil and its subsequent ban by the FDA mark a significant shift towards greater consumer safety and cleaner ingredients in the beverage industry. The replacements, primarily sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) and glycerol ester of wood rosin (GEWR), provide safe and effective means to stabilize flavor emulsions without the associated health risks. This change reflects both consumer advocacy and scientific advancements, ensuring that popular fruit-flavored drinks maintain their quality and appearance while meeting modern safety standards. For consumers, this highlights the importance of checking ingredient labels, though most major brands have already completed the transition.

Center for Science in the Public Interest: Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was brominated vegetable oil (BVO) phased out?

BVO was phased out due to mounting health concerns and negative consumer perception. Studies linked high doses of BVO to potential adverse health effects in animals, prompting calls for its removal from food products.

What is Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (SAIB)?

SAIB is a synthetic ester used as a food additive. It functions as a weighting agent and emulsifier, stabilizing flavor emulsions in beverages. It is a key replacement for BVO and is considered safe for use by regulatory bodies like the FDA and those in Europe.

What is Glycerol Ester of Wood Rosin (GEWR)?

GEWR, also known as ester gum, is a food additive derived from pine trees. It acts as a stabilizer and emulsifier, effectively suspending flavor oils in beverages and is a common BVO alternative.

Did major companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo remove BVO?

Yes, both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo removed BVO from their products years before the FDA ban. PepsiCo removed it from Gatorade in 2013, and Coca-Cola phased it out from products like Fanta and Powerade in 2014.

Are BVO alternatives like SAIB and GEWR safe?

Yes, SAIB and GEWR have been evaluated by food safety authorities like the FDA and are considered safe for their specified uses in food and beverages. They do not carry the same health concerns as BVO.

Why did the FDA take so long to ban BVO?

The FDA had classified BVO's use as 'interim' for several decades, citing other priorities. Critics argued the regulatory process was too slow, even though the industry had largely moved on. The final ban followed recent animal studies and increased public scrutiny.

Where can I find BVO today?

BVO has been almost completely phased out of major brand beverages. However, some smaller regional or store brands may have still used it prior to the FDA ban, which became effective in August 2024. Consumers can avoid BVO by checking ingredient labels on citrus-flavored drinks.