Health Care — FDA considers ban on soda ingredient

Presented by Kidney Care Access Coalition — A once-widely used ingredient in beverages is in the FDA's crosshairs

View Online Health Care Health Care PRESENTED BY  The Big Story  FDA considers banning soda ingredient  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed banning a food ingredient commonly found in sodas, with the agency saying evidence now indicates it is not safe for consumption. © Getty Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is an ingredient that's added to sodas to prevent citrus flavoring from separating and floating to the top of the drink. While once widely used, BVO has been slowly phased out by the beverage industry due to health risks.    Recent studies have indicated consumption of BVO is linked to bioaccumulation of bromine as well as negative effects on the thyroid.   The FDA's move comes after California banned the ingredient in October, becoming the first state to do so. The agency said it was similarly reviewing other additives, including three other ingredients banned by the recent California legislation.    "The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health … found the potential for adverse health effects in humans," James Jones, the FDA's deputy commissioner for human foods, said in a statement.    The FDA's proposal on Thursday was welcomed by consumer organizations.    "The evidence is clear that brominated vegetable oil in sodas and other beverages poses an unacceptable risk to our health," Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, said in a statement.    "Toxic additives like BVO that have been shown to pose toxic risks to the thyroid and other chronic health problems should not be allowed in our food. We're encouraged that the FDA has re-examined recent studies documenting the health risks posed by BVO and is taking action to prohibit its use."  Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Tobacco use in middle schoolers rose this year, but fewer high school students vaped The percentage of high school students who said they use tobacco products dropped this year compared to last, primarily due to a decline in electronic cigarette use, according to government data released Thursday.  However, there were more middle school students who said they used any tobacco products, a trend that poses a challenge for regulators and public health officials. 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Read more What People Think  Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: What are the laws of war when a hospital is a war zone?  Why we need more vaccines to achieve more vaccinations in the war against COVID    You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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