Brominated vegetable oils (BVOs) are used as emulsifiers in some fruit-flavored beverages to suspend flavor oils and give a cloudy appearance. However, the safety of BVOs was questioned in the 1970s due to findings of toxicity in animal studies. As a result, regulatory bodies have not established an acceptable daily intake for BVOs and most no longer consider them safe food additives. In Hong Kong, BVOs are not permitted as food additives and the government continues active surveillance to prevent their use in local foods. Alternatives exist that can achieve the same technical functions as BVOs without the potential health risks.

1. 1
Brominated Vegetable Oils
(BVO) in Foods
Trade Consultation Forum
29.5.2014

2. Background
In early May 2014, media reported two
global beverage manufacturing companies’
announcement on their plan to stop using
BVO in all their drinks in response to
consumers’ concern.
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3. 3
Application of BVO
A bromine addition product of vegetable
oils
Used as cloud producing agent, emulsifier
and stabiliser in fruit-flavoured beverages
(INS 443), including
Keep flavour oils in suspension
Give a cloudy appearance

4. 4
Toxicity of BVO
The safety of BVO has been evaluated by
JECFA in 1970
Observations from short-term studies
High doses of BVO could cause degenerative
cardiac lesions in experimental animals
Accumulation of lipid and lipid-bound bromine
was shown in adipose tissue and in intracellular
fat of various other tissues in human and
experimental animals

5. Toxicity of BVO
JECFA concluded that BVO should not be
used as food additives in the absence of
evidence indicating its safety
JECFA has not re-evaluated BVO since
then
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6. 6
Health-based Guidance Value
The absence of a “no-effect level” based
on long-term studies precluded the
establishment of an Acceptable Daily
Intake (ADI) for BVO

7. 7
Regulation of BVO in Foods
Not on the list
of food additive
Can be used
as food additive
Codex USA
• On an interim basis
• ≤15 ppm in finished fruit-
flavoured beverages
Mainland China
European Union
Australia & NZ Canada
• ≤15 ppm in beverages
containing citrus or spruce
oils as consumed
Japan
Singapore

8. 8
Regulation of BVO in Foods in HK
All foods for sale must be fit for human
consumption
FEHD has adopted JECFA’s view that BVO
should not be permitted to be used in
foods
Safety evaluation conducted by JECFA
Alternatives are available in the market which
can achieve the technical functions of BVO in
beverages

9. Regulation of BVO in Foods in HK
Latest situation
Continue to conduct surveillance of BVO in foods
in the local market
Other substances sharing similar
characteristics, e.g.
Potassium bromate (INS 924a)
Codex has not included provision for its use as flour
treatment agent
Not included in the list of permitted food additives in
flour in Mainland China, Australia and New Zealand, EU
and Canada
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10. Other Food Additives Not Permitted for
Food Use in HK
Examples
Preservatives (regulated under Cap.132BD)
e.g. boric acid, salicylic acid, formaldehyde
Colouring matter (regulated under Cap.132H)
e.g. red 2G
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11. Thank you
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