Bakery China | FDA seeks to revoke brominated vegetable oil regulation

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put forward a plan to cancel the rule permitting the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in consumables.

BVO is a modified form of vegetable oil that has been bonded with bromine,a component utilized in consumables since the 1920s. As permitted, bromine is employed in a selection of drinks in minimal quantities to prevent the citrus flavors from separating and rising to the surface.

Currently, the Administration has released a tentative regulation after examining contemporary studies that reveal negative health impacts in animals at exposure levels that more accurately reflect human consumption.

The FDA states that, in light of these findings and ongoing safety concerns, the regulatory authority is unable to assert the safety of BVO’s usage in consumables any longer. The research indicates a build-up of bromine in the body and harmful impacts on thyroid health.

These investigations were carried out in collaboration with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences'Division of Translational Toxicology, with the purpose of probing into unsettled toxicological issues. Since 1970, the FDA has been overseeing BVO as a food additive, following the agency's decision to declassify it from the list of substances　"Generally Recognised As Safe"　(GRAS).

The Administration notes that numerous drink manufacturers have already modified their recipes to substitute BVO with different ingredients. Although today, "a limited number" of drinks in the US contain BVO, consumers who wish to avoid products with brominated vegetable oil can do so by examining the ingredient lists on product packaging.

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Bakery China, organized by China Association of Bakery and Confectionery Industry (CABCI) and Bakery China Exhibitions Co., Ltd. was launched since 1997. Bakery China is the Asia Pacific's leading event serving the entire value chain for the bakery and confectionery market. The event presents all range of ingredient, equipment, packaging and services, and enables global leading professionals and buyer delegates to meet and share the latest innovations and thinking on manufacturing & distribution, R&D, applications and related services for bakery industry.It is  the first choice trade fair to enter China's bakery market.

The 26th Bakery China will be held on May 21-24,2024 at National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Shanghai, covering 320,000 sqm show space. Over 2,200 exhibitors and 400,000 visits are expected.（source:new food magazine）