The FDA has announced that starting next month it will ban the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food products due to potential health hazards. This decision was based on research indicating its toxicity to the thyroid, as well as other studies linking it to heart, liver, neurological issues, developmental and reproductive problems.
Most beverage companies have already reformulated their products to exclude BVO, with only a few still using it. The ban, effective on August 2nd, comes after NIH studies deemed BVO unsafe for consumption. Food safety advocates have long been calling for a ban on BVO and other concerning food additives.
Jim Jones, deputy commissioner for the FDA’s Human Foods Program, stated that the removal of BVO was based on a thorough review of current science and research findings that raised safety concerns. The FDA has faced criticism for not acting quickly enough to review and address potentially harmful chemicals in food. This ban on BVO marks a step towards ensuring the safety of food products in the market.
