Brominated vegetable oil: the additive that lasted the longest

Brominated vegetable oil served a specific technical purpose: to keep citrus flavorings in suspension so they would not float to the neck of the bottle. It was used for decades, restricted in some countries, permitted in others, and gradually disappeared from recipes even before its authorization was finally revoked.

Why it was needed

Citrus flavorings are essential oils, and they are lighter than water. In carbonated drinks, they float and collect in a ring at the neck, making the product look separated.

The technical solution was to weigh down the oil phase so that its density approached that of water. Attaching bromine to vegetable oil achieves exactly this—the molecules become heavier, and the emulsion holds.

The task is the same as that of standard emulsifiers, but it is solved differently—not by holding droplets, but by balancing density. For the standard approach, see our article on emulsifiers.

What the problem was

It was the bromine. Unlike components that are broken down and excreted, bromine from this compound can accumulate in fatty tissue, and its elimination period is long.

The reported cases of adverse effects are linked to very high and prolonged consumption of drinks containing this additive—we are talking about liters per day over months. This is not typical consumption, but the fact of accumulation distinguishes this additive from most others: for substances that are excreted, the issue is the daily amount, while for those that accumulate, it is the total amount over years.

An additional argument was that bromine competes with iodine for uptake by the thyroid gland.

How the status changed

In the European Union, brominated vegetable oil is not permitted as a food additive. In a number of countries, it remained permissible for longer, while manufacturers meanwhile removed it from their recipes on their own—under pressure from consumers and because a replacement was found.

This distinguishes the case from titanium dioxide: there, the regulator's decision outpaced the market; here, the market moved before the decision.

What it was replaced with

The task of weighing down the oil phase is covered by other substances: glycerol ester of wood rosin and sucrose esters. They perform the same function without bromine.

Some manufacturers took a different path—they changed the flavoring system so that a weighting agent was not required at all. For more on flavorings themselves, see our article on flavorings.

Where it was found

Almost exclusively in citrus carbonated drinks and sports drinks with orange, lemon, or grapefruit flavors. The additive was not used in ordinary food: the task was specific.

For the Russian consumer, the practical conclusion is simple: check the ingredients of citrus drinks, but it is unlikely you will find this additive—it is not on the list of permitted substances.

What follows from this

1. Accumulation is a separate risk category. For substances that are excreted, the question is about the daily dose; for those that accumulate, it is about the total over years, and they must be evaluated differently.
2. The market sometimes outpaces the regulator. An additive may disappear from a product's composition before its status changes.
3. A narrow function simplifies abandonment. An additive that solves one technical task in one category of products is easier to replace than a universal one.
4. Check the status, not your memory. The current status for each code can be found in the E-additive directory.

Other cases of revoked and revised authorizations can be found in our articles on potassium bromate, Sudan dyes, and cyclamate and saccharin.

Count it from a photo

Frequently asked questions

Why was brominated vegetable oil added to drinks?

To prevent citrus flavorings from floating to the neck of the bottle. Attaching bromine makes the oil molecules heavier, bringing their density closer to that of water, which keeps the emulsion stable.

How did it differ from common additives?

Bromine from this compound can accumulate in fatty tissue and is eliminated slowly. For substances that are eliminated, the concern is the daily intake; for those that accumulate, the concern is the total amount over years.

Is it currently permitted?

In the European Union, it is not permitted as a food additive, and it is not included in the list of permitted substances in Russia. In a number of countries, it remained acceptable for longer, but manufacturers removed it from their formulations on their own.

What has it been replaced with?

Glycerol ester of wood rosin and sucrose esters—they perform the same function without bromine. Some manufacturers changed their flavoring systems so that a weighting agent was no longer required.

In which products was it found?

Almost exclusively in citrus-flavored carbonated and sports drinks with orange, lemon, and grapefruit flavors. The additive was not used in regular food—the task was highly specialized.

Read next

• Potassium bromate: a flour improver that is no longer permitted — Potassium bromate was used for decades as a flour improver: it made dough more elastic and bread more voluminous with an even crumb.
• Flavorings: how 'natural' differs from 'nature-identical' — The common division into natural, nature-identical, and artificial flavorings has become ingrained in food discussions, even though it is no longer used in its original form in current regulations.
• Soda and its "zero": what changes when sugar is removed — The difference between regular soda and its "zero" version comes down to one line in the ingredients: a sweetener instead of sugar.

This article is for general information. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prescription for treatment or a diet, and it does not replace a consultation with your doctor. If you have a health condition, are pregnant, take medication, or follow a diet prescribed to you, decisions about food belong with your doctor.

Figures from regulations, guidelines and studies are given as they stood when this article was prepared and may since have changed; check them against the primary sources. This article is not advertising, an offer, or individual advice, and neither the author nor the site owner is responsible for decisions taken on the basis of it.