Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) is a food additive primarily used in fruit-flavored sports drinks and sodas to keep ingredients from separating. BVO has been used in soft drinks since 1931, generally at a level of about 8 ppm. However, the FDA determined in 1970 that the ingredient was no longer "Generally Recognized as Safe" and began overseeing its use under its food additive regulations. BVO contains bromine, an element found in flame retardants, and can potentially be harmful to the liver, heart, and cause neurological problems. Many large beverage brands, including Coca-Cola and Pepsi, have already stopped using the ingredient in their products. In 2014, both Coke and Pepsi dropped BVO in their formula. According to the Environmental Working Group, there are at least 90 products that use BVO as an ingredient, most of which are sodas. BVO is most commonly found in smaller grocery store brands and regional beverages, including some Food Lion-brand sodas, some Great Value-brand sodas, and Sun Drop citrus soda. Here is a list of drinks that contain BVO currently available on the market:

• Amp Energy Drink
• Fanta
• Fresca
• Mountain Dew
• Powerade (some flavors, including Strawberry Lemonade)
• Squirt
• Sun Drop
• Sunkist Pineapple
• Some flavors of Gatorade, including Orange

The FDA proposed banning the use of BVO in October 2023, and California Governor Gavin Newsom approved a law that banned the manufacture, sale, and distribution of BVO in November 2023.