Brominated vegetable oil (BVO)

Also known as: BVO, brominated soybean oil

Higher concernunder our published method

By NordicScan Evidence Engine · generated from structured evidence records · source spans verified by automated gates · Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · how we score.

What it is

Brominated vegetable oil is a brominated oil formerly used to keep some citrus-flavoured beverages evenly mixed.

Why people ask

People ask because FDA revoked the federal food-additive authorization and California also named BVO in a state food law.

What our method flags — by use

Food · US federal

In US food, our method rates BVO as higher-concern because FDA revoked the federal food-additive authorization.

The US FDA restricted by current BVO page and final rule the use of brominated vegetable oil in food; the final rule states an August 2, 2024 effective date.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
US FDA	The US FDA restricted by current BVO page and final rule the use of brominated vegetable oil in food; the final rule states an August 2, 2024 effective date.	authority_regulatory	2024-07-02	source
Federal Register / US FDA	The Federal Register final rule restricted by revocation the only authorized food use of BVO and set the effective date as August 2, 2024.	authority_regulatory / --	2024-07-03	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Fair (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

Food · California state

In California food-market scope, our method also rates BVO as higher-concern because state law names it in a 2027 market restriction.

California restricted by Health and Safety Code section 109025 food products containing brominated vegetable oil from manufacture, sale, delivery, distribution, holding, or offer for sale in commerce beginning January 1, 2027.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
California Legislature	California restricted by Health and Safety Code section 109025 food products containing brominated vegetable oil from manufacture, sale, delivery, distribution, holding, or offer for sale in commerce beginning January 1, 2027.	authority_regulatory	2023-10-07	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Limited (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

How this moves a product’s score

On a product score, BVO contributes a higher concern signal in US food because both FDA federal action and California state law name the ingredient.

Nordic Scan provides ingredient information and a concern score under our published method, for general consumer research. It is not medical advice and not a medical device, and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or determine the safety of any product. Decide for yourself.

This is what Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is. What’s in the products you buy? Scan a label and see the concern signals our method flags. Get the app.

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · Sources checked 2026-07-08 · See how we score.