FDA Revokes Regulation Allowing Brominated Vegetable Oil

The FDA has revoked a regulation that allowed the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food. The oil is modified with bromine. The agency said the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe. A series of studies conducted in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health have shown potential adverse health effects on humans from brominated vegetable oil. The FDA announced plans to ban the product last year. And the state of California banned BVO and other compounds before the FDA announced its decision.

Brominated vegetable oil was removed from the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list in 1970. It was used in small amounts to prevent citrus flavor from rising to the top in some beverages. Few beverages in the United States contain BVO.

FDA takes these actions under its regulatory authority over ingredients added to food, which includes reevaluating previously evaluated ingredients and considering safety issues.

This rule takes effect on August 2, 2024. The effective date of this rule is one year after the effective date to give companies an opportunity to reformulate, change labels, and exhaust supplies of ingredients containing BVO before enforcement of the rule begins.

The final decision to revoke the approval for brominated vegetable oil in food can be read in the Federal Register.