Coke to Remove Brominated Vegetable Oil From Beverages

The move is partially inspired by a teenager’s online petition.

May 07, 2014

ATLANTA – Consumer pressure has led Coca-Cola to follow PepsiCo’s lead in removing brominated vegetable oil (BVO) from its drinks, Marketing Daily reports. The concern about BVO stems from its linkage to a flame retardant. More than 100 countries, including Japan and the European Union nations, have banned BVO usage.

Two years ago, a Mississippi teenager’s Change.org petition pushed for the change in Gatorade and last year, PepsiCo removed BVO from the drink. The teen, Sarah Kavanagh, then targeted Coke, which announced this week that it will follow suit by taking out BVO from Powerade and Fanta, among other beverages.

In its announcement, Coke said the change fits with its pledge “to evolve our beverages and portfolio options through ongoing innovation.” As such, the company will transition “from the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) to sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) and/or glycerol ester of rosin (singly or in-combination).”

Many see the decision by Coke as “just the latest evidence that food makers are coming under pressure for the ingredients they use,” according to Associated Press writer Candice Choi. “While companies stand by the safety of their products, some are making changes in response to the movement toward foods that people believe are natural.”

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