FDA Proposes Banning Food Additive BVO
'Following California’s lead, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed to ban the food additive brominated vegetable oil (BVO). Toxicology studies conducted in collaboration with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) led to the FDA concluding that BVO is “no longer safe” due largely in part to its ability to harm thyroid function and neurological health.1
BVO is a synthetic chemical that bonds vegetable oil to the chemical halogen bromine. It was originally patented as a flame retardant and acts as an emulsifier to help keep flavors from separating. BVO has been considered “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) by the FDA since the 1930s, with a temporary ban in 1970. In 1977, food manufacturers convinced the FDA to allow BVO again in smaller doses, and the additive has remained ever since.'
