The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided to revoke permission for the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food products. This revocation will take effect on August 2, with a compliance date set for one year later to allow companies time to reformulate, relabel, and sell off existing inventory containing BVO before the FDA begins enforcing the new rule.
BVO has been used primarily in citrus-flavored soft drinks to help emulsify the beverages, preventing them from separating during distribution. Despite its functional benefits, the FDA has determined that its use is no longer safe based on recent studies.
The substance was previously removed from the FDA’s Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) list in 1970, requiring manufacturers to list BVO explicitly on ingredient labels when used.
The FDA’s decision to revoke BVO’s approval is based on recent research conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These studies indicated potential adverse health effects associated with BVO consumption.
As a result, the FDA concluded that BVO’s intended use in food products could pose health risks to humans, prompting the revocation.
Ensuring the safety of food ingredients is a critical part of the FDA’s mission, and the agency regularly reassesses the safety of such substances as new data emerges.
The decision to revoke BVO’s approval followed a period of public commentary, during which the FDA received more than 40 comments supporting the proposed rule change. These comments also urged the FDA to address other potentially harmful substances, including color additives and preservatives.
The FDA’s revocation of BVO is a response to new health data and public feedback, reflecting the agency’s commitment to food safety. Companies have one year to adapt to the new regulation by reformulating their products.
This action underscores the FDA’s proactive approach to reevaluating food additives in light of evolving scientific evidence.
