FDA Considers Banning Brominated Vegetable Oil in Citrus Sodas

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed banning brominated vegetable oil (BVO), an ingredient found in fruity and citrus-flavored sodas, due to concerns over its toxic effects shown in animal studies. BVO has been found to potentially harm the thyroid, liver, heart, and cause neurological problems. Many companies have already reformulated their beverages to replace BVO with other ingredients. California has already banned BVO in food, and it is also banned in the European Union and Japan. Keurig Dr Pepper, the maker of Sun Drop soda, has already planned to phase out the ingredient, while PepsiCo stopped using BVO in its beverages in 2019. Experts support the FDA's decision, urging food companies to find healthier alternatives.