FDA bans additive found in many citrusy drinks

[KARAH RUCKER]

THE F-D-A IS REVOKING A REGULATION THAT ALLOWED FOR A CERTAIN ADDITIVE TO BE USED IN FOOD ITEMS – SAYING IT’S NO LONGER SAFE.

BROMINATED VEGETABLE OIL – OR B-V-O – IS USED IN DOZENS OF PRODUCTS – MOSTLY SODAS.

IT’S VEGETABLE OIL THAT’S MODIFIED WITH THE CHEMICAL BROMINE – WHICH IS FOUND IN FIRE RETARDANTS – TO KEEP CITRUS FLAVORING FROM FLOATING TO THE TOP IN DRINKS.

AFTER CONDUCTING SOME STUDIES WITH THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH – THE F-D-A FOUND B-V-O COULD BE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL TO HUMANS.

ONE F-D-A STUDY IN 20-22 FOUND B-V-O CAN ACCUMULATE IN THE BODY – LEADING TO NERVOUS SYSTEM DAMAGE, HEADACHES, SKIN IRRITATION, AND LOSS OF MUSCLE COORDINATION AND MEMORY.

B-V-O WAS REMOVED FROM THE F-D-A’S “GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE” LIST IN 19-70… AND ITS USE HAS BEEN REGULATED SINCE THEN – BUT THIS NEW RULE WILL BAN ITS USE COMPLETELY.

THE RULE IS SET TO TAKE EFFECT ON AUGUST 2-ND – BUT COMPANIES WILL HAVE UP TO ONE YEAR AFTER THAT TO TWEAK THEIR FORMULAS, RE-LABEL PRODUCTS, AND DEPLETE THEIR CURRENT B-V-O STOCK.