Brominated Vegetable Oil
Also known as: BVO
EmulsifiersStabilizers
Safety rating
Avoid
Eat Away!Generally SafeUse SparinglyAvoid
Purpose and Function
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) is a synthetic compound made by bonding vegetable oil with bromine, used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in citrus-flavored soft drinks to keep flavoring oils evenly distributed and prevent separation.
Commonly found in
- —Citrus-flavored soft drinks
Key functions
- —Emulsifies citrus flavoring oils
- —Stabilizes beverages against ingredient separation
Potential Risks and Side Effects
- 01Bromine can accumulate in the body over time, potentially leading to bromism — headache, fatigue, memory loss, and in severe cases impaired motor/cognitive function
- 02May interfere with iodine absorption, potentially contributing to thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism)
- 03Banned in the EU, Japan, and India; the FDA announced plans in June 2022 to revoke its US food-additive authorization, effectively banning it