Food Court

Emulsifier

Brominated vegetable oil

Also known as: BVO, E443, Brominated soybean oil, CAS 8016-94-2

Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is a vegetable oil modified with bromine, historically used in small amounts as an emulsifier to keep citrus flavoring oils evenly dispersed in some fruit-flavored beverages. As of August 2024 it is no longer authorized for use in food in the United States, and it is not permitted as a food additive in the European Union; California separately banned it effective 2027.

The record

2 findings
Exhibit 01
Warning

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the food additive regulations to no longer provide for the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food because the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe... there is no longer a reasonable certainty of no harm from the continued use of BVO in food.

FDA issued a final rule revoking the only authorized food use of BVO, concluding it is no longer safe; effective August 2, 2024, with a one-year compliance period.

Exhibit 02
Warning

Commencing January 1, 2027, a person or entity shall not manufacture, sell, deliver, distribute, hold, or offer for sale, in commerce a food product for human consumption that contains... brominated vegetable oil.

California's AB-418 (California Food Safety Act, Chapter 328) prohibits manufacture or sale of food containing brominated vegetable oil in California, effective January 1, 2027.

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