Brominated vegetable oil (BVO)

No E-numberEmulsifiersOrigin: Lab-made

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The short answer

Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) kept the citrus flavor from floating to the top of some sodas. The FDA banned it in 2024 because of thyroid effects, so check older or imported citrus drinks.

15/100

Best to avoid

Controversial, restricted or banned somewhere.

E-numberNone

Comes fromLab-made

What it doesEmulsifiers

Glycemic index—

Daily limitNot set

Also calledBrominated vegetable oil, BVO

Citrus drinks made without BVO

Clean-label swaps

Clean grocery swap

Natural citrus sparkling water

Real lemon and lime flavor with nothing to separate.

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Clean substitute

Organic lemon-lime soda

Certified organic sodas can't use BVO.

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Home soda maker

Mix your own sparkling drinks with fresh citrus.

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDABanned

🇪🇺 European UnionBanned

🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved with limits

CaliforniaRestrictedBanned in California food from 2027 (California Food Safety Act, AB 418)

The FDA revoked its approval in July 2024, with a compliance date of August 2025, after studies showed it harms the thyroid. It was never approved as a food additive in the EU or the UK.

Daily limit: No safe daily amount has been set.

What is it?

BVO is vegetable oil weighed down with bromine so that citrus flavor oils stay evenly mixed through a soft drink. Most big brands dropped it years before the ban, but it can still turn up on imported products.

Where it comes from: Soybean or corn oil chemically bonded with bromine, which makes it heavy enough to stay mixed in a drink.

Why it’s in food

Kept citrus flavor oils from separating in soda
Gave sports drinks a cloudy look

Often found in

Older citrus soda formulasImported citrus soft drinksSome sports drinks (before 2014)

Also listed as: Brominated vegetable oil, BVO, Brominated soybean oil, Brominated oil

Health & gut impact

ThyroidConcern

Rats fed BVO at levels close to real use built up bromine in their tissues and had thyroid damage. That study led to the US ban.

FDA, Revocation of Authorization for Use of BVO in Food (2024)

BromismConcern

Case reports describe skin, memory and nerve problems in people who drank several liters of BVO soda a day.

Horowitz, J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. (1997)

What can I use instead?

Gum arabic

Ratio: To label

Best for: Citrus soda flavor emulsions

Glycerol ester of rosin

Ratio: To label

Best for: Weighting citrus oils

More emulsifiers:

DATEM (Diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides) E472eDATEM (E472e) is a dough strengthener that gives sandwich bread its tall, soft crumb. It's safe, but the fat it's made from may be animal-based.Generally safe Lecithin (Soy / Sunflower) E322Lecithin (E322) is a natural fat from soy or sunflower that keeps chocolate, dressings and baked goods smooth. It's safe, vegan and gluten-free. People with a soy allergy should look for sunflower lecithin.Generally safe Mono- and Diglycerides E471Mono- and diglycerides (E471) are emulsifiers that can be made from plants or from pork or beef fat. They're only vegan, halal or kosher when the product is certified.Use in moderation Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (PGPR) E476PGPR (E476) is an emulsifier made from castor oil that helps cheaper chocolate flow with less cocoa butter. It's approved with limits and considered safe at food levels, but it's a sign of a budget recipe.Use in moderation

Common questions

Is Brominated vegetable oil safe?

Best to avoid (15/100). The FDA revoked its approval in July 2024, with a compliance date of August 2025, after studies showed it harms the thyroid. It was never approved as a food additive in the EU or the UK.

Is Brominated vegetable oil vegan?

Yes.

Is Brominated vegetable oil gluten-free?

Yes.

Is BVO still in soda?

Not in US-made soda: the FDA ban took full effect in August 2025, and the big brands removed it earlier. Check the label on imported citrus drinks.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations

21 CFR 180.30 (US FDA)
FDA, Revocation of Authorization for Use of BVO in Food (2024)
Horowitz, J. Toxicol. Clin. Toxicol. (1997)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: November 1, 2026 · INS 443 · CAS 8016-94-2