WASHINGTON – Today the Food and Drug Administration proposed to revoke authorization of the use in food of the chemical brominated vegetable oil, or BVO.
BVO is banned from drinks sold in Europe and Japan. In October, California passed the California Food Safety Act, the first law in the U.S. to ban BVO, in addition to three other harmful chemicals, from food sold and produced in the state.
Until recently, BVO was found in a wide range of drinks, particularly citrus-flavored and other fruit-flavored drinks, sold in the U.S. A 2012 petition, which received more than 200,000 signatures, brought attention to the health problems relating to BVO. Under market pressure, many brands removed it from their products, but not all.
BVO has been linked to numerous health hazards, including harm to the nervous system. It can also build up in the body, and research has shown a connection between drinking large amounts of BVO-containing sodas over a long period of time and problems such as headaches, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, fatigue and loss of muscle coordination and memory.
BVO was originally considered “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA, but that designation was removed in 1970. Soon after, at the request of manufacturers, the agency again claimed it could be used “on an interim basis” in limited quantities.
The following is a statement from Scott Faber, EWG’s senior vice president for government affairs:
The FDA has known for decades that brominated vegetable oil is harmful to human health.
While we’ve waited for federal action on this toxic chemical, states – like California – and some major beverage companies have stepped up to remove BVO from their products and get it off grocery store shelves.
But BVO can still be found on the market, especially in so-called off-brand products, including store-brand products and lesser-known, smaller brands that are sometimes sold regionally.
Today’s announcement will ensure everyone has access to products that don’t contain BVO.
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The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
