Alert: FDA Highlights Toxicity Risk in Common Soft Drink Additive Affecting Thyroid Health
Consuming soft drinks daily is widely known to be detrimental to our health, primarily due to their high sugar content. Research by UCLA Health has linked these beverages to various health issues, including obesity, poor blood sugar management, and diabetes. However, a lesser-known concern is an ingredient in sodas that poses a significant risk to thyroid health. This has led the FDA to issue a stark warning and consider a ban. Discover which ingredient the FDA is targeting for elimination.
The FDA has declared this ingredient unsafe for consumption. On November 2, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for human foods, James Jones, revealed a proposal to revoke the authorization of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in foods. In collaboration with the NIH, the FDA conducted studies revealing BVO’s potentially harmful effects on human health, leading to its classification as unsafe.
Currently, BVO is allowed in small quantities in citrus-flavored beverages to prevent ingredient separation. The FDA began monitoring BVO in 1970, initially not recognizing it as safe (GRAS). The Environmental Working Group (EWG) notes that BVO is banned in drinks in Europe and Japan, and California has recently moved to ban it along with other food additives.
Studies highlight multiple health risks associated with BVO. Recent NIH research on rodents indicates BVO’s potential toxicity to the thyroid, a gland crucial for metabolism regulation and hormone production, as the Cleveland Clinic explains. Besides thyroid risks, the EWG states that BVO is linked to nervous system damage, body accumulation, and various health problems, including headaches, skin irritation, fatigue, muscle coordination loss, and memory issues, especially with prolonged consumption of BVO-laden sodas.
Beverage companies are gradually eliminating BVO. While many manufacturers have reformulated their products to exclude BVO, some beverages still contain it. Major brands like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola eliminated BVO in 2013 and 2014, respectively, partly due to public pressure following a 2012 petition against BVO. Nonetheless, BVO remains in numerous drinks, including certain store-brand sodas and fruit-flavored beverages, which are more affordable options amidst rising inflation.
The FDA’s ban on BVO is still under consideration, with a final decision expected post-January 17, 2024, following a review of public comments and additional analysis, as reported by CNN. This proposed action illustrates the FDA’s commitment to continually assess and respond to emerging health concerns based on scientific findings.
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