Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Last reviewed October 18, 2026 · Evidence strength: Limited · How we grade evidence
In plain words: BVO, once used in some citrus sodas, is no longer allowed in US food. FDA's own animal studies showed bromine building up in the body and effects on the thyroid. Any product still listing it would be old stock.
Also listed on labels as: Brominated vegetable oil, BVO, Brominated soybean oil
What is it, and why is it in food?
BVO is vegetable oil with bromine attached. It kept citrus flavoring evenly mixed in sodas and sports drinks so it didn't float to the top.
What does the science say?
| The popular claim | "BVO is no longer permitted in US food." (A commonly cited "banned additive.") |
| Our verdict on that claim | Supported |
| Evidence strength | Limited: animal studies, including FDA's own, led to a ban; no human outcome data. |
| Kinds of studies | Animal studies, FDA action |
- Animals: FDA scientists fed BVO to rats and found bromine built up in tissues, with thyroid effects at high doses.1
What do regulators say?
- FDA revoked the rule authorizing BVO, effective August 2, 2024, with a one-year compliance period.2
- California also bans it from 2027.
Who should be careful?
- Everyone can simply skip any product that still lists it.
How common is it in US foods?
In our check of USDA's Branded Foods database, 619 of 438,129 US packaged foods with an ingredient list name brominated vegetable oil (about 0.1%, or roughly 1 in 708).3 It shows up most often in: soda (530); other drinks (32); non alcoholic beverages ready to drink (25); fruit & vegetable juice, nectars & fruit drinks (8); syrups & molasses (7). Almost all are sodas, and most records date from 2021 to 2023, before the ban. These are label records companies sent to USDA, mostly in 2021 to 2023, so some products have changed since. Counts come from a text match of ingredient lists and are approximate.
Swaps and tips for families
- Major sodas already reformulated. If you find an old bottle or an import that lists BVO, skip it.
Beyond the plate: related non-food exposures
None.
Frequently asked questions
Is BVO banned in the US?
Yes. FDA revoked its authorization effective August 2, 2024, with compliance required by August 2, 2025.
Why was BVO banned?
FDA's own rat studies showed bromine building up in the body and thyroid effects.
Do sodas still have BVO?
Major brands removed it. A product listing it today would be old, imported or non-compliant.
Related guides
Sources
Every source below was checked against PubMed, the publisher or the official page by our research team in October 2026.
- Toxicological evaluation of brominated vegetable oil in Sprague Dawley rats. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 2022. PubMed 35588981 · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2022.113137
- FDA: Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO). Link
- FoodData Central, Branded Foods dataset (release 2026-04-30). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 2026. Link
This guide is for general education. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your doctor, pediatrician, allergist or registered dietitian. If you think you or your child reacted to a food, talk to a health professional. Research changes; we review these pages when new evidence or rules come out. Last reviewed October 18, 2026. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].