What Is Brominated Vegetable Oil?
The FDA describes BVO as a vegetable oil modified with bromine that, as authorized, was used in small amounts, no more than 15 parts per million, as a stabilizer for fruit flavoring in beverages to keep the citrus flavoring from floating to the top.
The FDA says it concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after studies conducted with the National Institutes of Health found the potential for adverse health effects in humans. It says data from its rodent study, published in May 2022, suggest oral exposure to BVO is associated with increased tissue levels of bromine, and that at high exposure levels the thyroid is a target organ of potential negative health effects in rodents.
The FDA's final rule took effect August 2, 2024, with a compliance date one year later so companies could reformulate, relabel and use up inventory of BVO-containing products before enforcement. California law separately says that beginning January 1, 2027, no person or entity may manufacture, sell, deliver, distribute, hold or offer for sale a food product containing brominated vegetable oil.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceThe FDA describes BVO as a vegetable oil modified with bromine that, as authorized, was used at no more than 15 parts per million as a stabilizer for fruit flavoring in beverages. US FDA ↗
- Government sourceThe FDA says it concluded the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after studies conducted with the National Institutes of Health found the potential for adverse health effects in humans. US FDA ↗
- StudyThe FDA says its 2022 rodent study suggests oral BVO exposure is associated with increased tissue bromine, and that at high exposure the thyroid is a target organ of potential negative effects in rodents. US FDA ↗
- Regulatory filingThe FDA's final rule on BVO took effect August 2, 2024, with a compliance date one year later to let companies reformulate, relabel and deplete inventory. US FDA, Federal Register, via GovInfo ↗
- Regulatory filingCalifornia law says that commencing January 1, 2027, a person or entity shall not manufacture, sell, distribute or offer for sale a food product containing brominated vegetable oil. California Legislature, AB 418 (2023) ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.