The FDA is proposing a ban on a modified vegetable oil called BVO, which was previously used in citrus-flavored sodas to ensure that the tangy taste was evenly mixed throughout the beverage. Recent toxicology studies have raised concerns about the safety of BVO, leading the FDA to reconsider its ongoing use.
The proposed ban is indicative of the FDA’s commitment to monitoring emerging evidence and conducting scientific research to address safety concerns. James Jones, the FDA deputy commissioner for human foods, explains that regulatory action is taken when the science does not support the continued safe use of additives in foods.
BVO, or brominated vegetable oil, has been utilized as an emulsifying agent since the 1930s to prevent citrus flavoring agents from floating to the top of sodas. By attaching a dozen bromine atoms to a triglyceride, a dense oil is created that evenly disperses throughout water when mixed with less dense fats.
However, BVO has additional implications. Animal studies have suggested that the compound can accumulate in our fat tissues over time. Bromine also hinders iodine’s crucial work in the thyroid, raising concerns among health authorities globally about the risks associated with this emulsifier.
In fact, BVO is already banned in numerous countries, including India, Japan, and the European Union. It was recently prohibited in California, with the ban set to take effect in 2027.
Despite this, the FDA has been slow to respond. Initially classified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) in the 1950s, BVO’s safety was questioned in subsequent decades. This led to the FDA overturning its GRAS classification and imposing temporary usage limitations in citrus-flavored drinks.
Collecting data on the potential risks posed by even small amounts of BVO over time has been challenging. Reliable evidence relies on long-term studies examining health effects in a substantial sample size. Nonetheless, the evidence against BVO has been steadily accumulating.
A UK study in the 1970s discovered bromine accumulating in human tissues, with animal studies linking high concentrations of BVO to heart and behavioral problems. More recent animal studies, focusing on BVO ingestion levels closer to those experienced by humans, have strengthened the case for a complete ban.
Fortunately, major soda drink companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Co. have already been phasing out BVO from their products over the past decade.
The FDA’s ban on BVO may be a precursor to further regulatory actions. Jones announced that the agency is evaluating regulations allowing the use of food additives and intends to automatically prohibit the approval of any food coloring agents that are found to cause cancer in humans or animals. This demonstrates a more efficient bureaucratic process.
However, the FDA’s reclassification of BVO still needs to undergo an extensive review process, which is unlikely to be completed before early 2024.
Suitable alternatives to BVO are already being used worldwide to achieve the tangy taste in citrus drinks, making it unlikely that the ingredient will be missed.
