- The Food and Drug Administration proposed a ban on brominated vegetable oil
- The agency said it is no longer considered safe for human consumption
A toxic food additive used in many sodas could be banned under a proposal from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The agency said a review of brominated vegetable oil – used to enhance citrus flavor – found it was no longer considered safe for human consumption.
Previous studies had linked the additive to neurological problems such as headaches, nervous system problems and problems with the thyroid – a gland in the breast that is responsible for regulating metabolism.
This comes after California passed a law banning the use of this additive – along with three others – until 2027, and New York is also considering similar legislation. The agency said it is reviewing all additives included in the California law, including red dye No. 3, which is used in some candies.
Brominated vegetable oil is used in beverages, including some Sun Drop sodas
In its proposal today, the FDA said: “Recent toxicology studies conducted in collaboration with the NIH have now provided us with conclusive scientific evidence that supports our proposal to revoke FDA approval of BVO as a food additive.”
“Although BVO has a long history of use in foods and was once considered ‘generally recognized as safe,’ we have studied it further to understand possible health effects.”
They added: “The FDA continually reviews and evaluates the safety of various chemicals in food to ensure that science and the law support their safe use.”
The agency cited a July 2022 study in rats that found those exposed to the additive for 90 days had changes in their thyroids.
Brominated vegetable oil is currently approved for use in small amounts in beverages to prevent citrus flavor from leaching and floating to the top of the beverage.
The agency stopped recognizing the additive as safe in the 1970s and has since monitored studies of the additive to determine its health effects.
The agency said it is also investigating red dye No. 3, used in medications and some foods, which has been linked to allergies, cancer, hyperactivity in children and thyroid problems.