OAN’s James Meyers
2:09 PM – Thursday, November 2, 2023
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now wants to ban a food additive used in Gatorade and Mountain Dew.
The FDA proposed banning the use of brominated vegetable oil on Thursday, which is a food ingredient added in sodas and sports drinks to keep ingredients from separating.
Brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi have already stopped using the ingredient in their products, but it can still be found in grocery store brands and popular regional beverages.
Meanwhile, Japan and the European Union (EU) have banned the use of the ingredient in food and drinks.
Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) signed a bill last month banning the use of four food additives, which included brominated vegetable oil. California became the first state to outlaw the chemicals that are still allowed by the FDA.
Additionally, the FDA concluded in their proposition that brominated vegetable oil was no longer safe to consume. They made the claim after recent studies in rodents revealed that the ingredient is toxic to the thyroid, which is a gland that plays a major part in regulating blood pressure.
Other studies have also shown that it could be harmful to the liver, heart, and can even cause neurological problems.
“Based on these data and remaining unresolved safety questions, the FDA can no longer conclude that the use of BVO in food is safe,” the agency said in a release.
The FDA said they will allow public comments on the proposed ban until January 17th.
If the ban is approved, the FDA stated they will allow companies to relabel their products in one year before enforcing the new rule.
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