Health Canada proposes to remove BVO from permitted food additives list

Health Canada recently completed an updated safety assessment of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) based on new and previously reviewed information. Although Health Canada did not identify an immediate health concern with the current permitted use of BVO as a food additive, the outcome of the assessment does not support BVO’s continued use as a food additive. So, Health Canada is proposing to remove BVO from the List of permitted food additives with other accepted uses.

Health Canada is considering providing a one-year transition period to allow impacted beverages to be reformulated and relabelled, since the updated safety assessment did not find an immediate health concern with the current permitted use of BVO as a food additive.

As set out in Item B.3 of the List of permitted food additives with other accepted uses, BVO is currently permitted for use as a density adjusting agent at a maximum level of 15 ppm in beverages containing citrus or spruce oils, as consumed.

The modification to the list and the transition period will be announced soon. In the meantime, Health Canada invites industry stakeholders to offer feedback until July 30, 2024. For details, click here.