FDA bans food additive found in citrusy sports drinks and sodas
FDA bans food additive found in citrusy sports drinks and sodas
Brominated vegetable oil, which is used in some fruit-flavored drinks, is potentially harmful for humans.
The FDA said it had concluded that BVO was not safe for use after the results of studies, it conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, found the potential for adverse effects in humans.
The agency had first proposed to revoke the regulation in November 2023. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, BVO was banned in the UK in 1970, followed by India in 1990, the EU in 2008 and Japan in 2010.
The Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday it would revoke the regulation that authorized the use of brominated vegetable oil in food items, effective Aug. 2, as it was no longer safe.
BVO is a chemical ingredient containing bromine, which is found in fire retardants. Small quantities of BVO are used legally in some citrus-flavored drinks in the United States to keep the flavor evenly distributed.
The FDA said it had concluded that BVO was not safe for use after the results of studies, it conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, found the potential for adverse effects in humans.
The agency had first proposed to revoke the regulation in November 2023. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, BVO was banned in the UK in 1970, followed by India in 1990, the EU in 2008 and Japan in 2010.
In 1970, the FDA had concluded that its use in food was not generally recognized as safe because of toxicity concerns. After this, the agency began regulating BVO as a food additive, while simultaneously conducting safety studies.
“The FDA’s new regulation to not allow BVO as a food additive is a terrific positive in the right direction,” said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors.
As per FDA rules, whenever a company was using the ingredient in any product, it was necessary to list it on the label.
Over time, many beverage makers have replaced BVO with an alternative ingredient, according to the FDA. “Today, few beverages in the U.S. contain BVO,” it said.
PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have removed BVO from their drinks such as Gatorade and Fanta, respectively.
“Sun Drop, manufactured by Keurig Dr Pepper, still uses BVO ... This is probably the biggest national brand that still uses it,” said CFRA Research’s Arun Sundaram.
Keurig Dr Pepper did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
followed by India in 1990
India, a country considerably more blasé about safety standards than the US, had already banned it a generation ago. Terrifying negligence on behalf of the FDA. How much money could this have possibly saved the megacorps?
no longer safe
It used to be safe?
Considered safe. Considerations are influenced by adequate research, ideally.
Lead used to be considered safe in paint, asbestos used to be considered safe for napkins, cigarettes used to be considered safe to smoke, cocaine used to be considered safe to drink, etc.
I am just waiting for the next "asbestos" to come to light in home construction. I am betting on drywall sooner or later being considered hazmat to disturb. Plastics are emerging as a bigger problem, so we will see how that all pans out.
Again, the FDA was late to the game. Even India has banned this stuff decades ago.
I always find this a little funny... Like I always hear complaints how the FDA is overbearing and stuff... And I'm like, they're barely doing their job. They're so woefully backed that even if they make a ruling, they act super slow or are unable to enforce. That said... Lots of moves happening from them after the baby formula stuff. It'll be interesting how the next year or two goes
I always find this a little funny... Like I always hear complaints how the FDA is overbearing and stuff
It's big corpos who'd love to continue using these additives that launch these claims via proxy into the public. Similar to how McDonald's made sure people think the US is a country of frivolous lawsuits because they were ordered to cover a woman's medical costs after a jury found them guilty. Purposeful misrepresentation of facts
India doesn’t have the Robert’s court.
The FDA means nothing. Agencies are pointless now. The whole thing is a joke.
Cue the lawsuit to be able to continue using it.
Yes, weren't the implications from the Chevron case that the FDA wouldn't be able to ban ingredients anymore? I thought the government departments were all basically stripped of powers and could only make recommendations to Congress.
Got to go read, now, and figure out what I misunderstood...
They can continue operating until the courts stop them. Chevron deference is in reference to court cases, not specific regulatory authority. So the Chevron doctrine was that courts should defer to the regulatory agency in most cases. With it gone, courts can generally rule against specific regulations without fear of being over turned on appeal.
The real danger is SCOTUS in another case in the last few days completely removed something called standing in relation to these regulations. It used to be that you could only challenge a new rule or regulation right after it was made. Now you can challenge it when the damage occurs. That sounds better but in reality it's worse. Because corporations can act as people in court, all you have to do is incorporate a new corporation in a friendly court district. For example, the second you create a "alcohol distribution" corporation you are subject to those regulations. Some of them are a hundred years old. You can now claim damage has occurred and sue to block the enforcement of those regulations.
Before Chevron was removed though the courts would have most likely ruled against you because the agency was deferred to in most cases. Now the court can take this shell company's case and rule however it wants.
The FDA knew it wasn't safe in 1970.
Okay new rule. If it's not naturally grown and simply processed, (squeezing an orange) it has to go to the FDA for FDA led testing and cannot be distributed until then.
If that's already the case then we need to see some criminal prosecutions. I'm getting really fucking tired of these captured regulators.
Oranges aren't squeezed anyway. They're separated into tanks of raw components and then mixed so OJ always tastes the same.
Mountain Dew used to be made with this... I wonder what it does to you
Mmmm... bromine...
Still is.
Great, now lets ban teflon next.
Just banning PTFE outright isn't gonna go well, it just has way too many useful applications. As a lubricant for example (tho fully enclosed uses there are def preferred obviously), or for uses where the fact that it's practically non-reactive is very much important. Phasing out PTFE coatings for non stick pans&things like that? Sure, that we can do. Basically.... reduce it's use to applications where it actually makes sense to do so&where there is no such thing as a practical "just use something else that doesn't share the same environmental issues!"
Wait, does this mean Sunny D will have to be made from real oranges from now on?!
Small quantities of BVO are used legally in some citrus-flavored drinks in the United States to keep the flavor evenly distributed.
No, you'll just have to shake it before drinking.
Whew. I can't imagine any Sunny D consumer being satisfied with a real orange flavor.
Surprised it took this long, frankly.
I could find these drinks two after digging in to 2 differnet articles :
- Sun Drop, made by Keurig Dr Pepper 2. Great Value Orangette orange soda ( Walmart brand )
Half asleep, read that as "Great Value Orange Vinaigrette Soda". Was shocked at the depth of Walmart's depravity.
Squirt
Now where am I gonna get my bromine
You're going to have to drink indoor pool water like the rest of us. It has all the bromine you'll need, and more!
Also annoying that articles like these never list the full list of affected beverages. We can't have a negative taint against our dear corporations!