A controversial Gatorade ingredient will be removed from the popular sports drink after consumer complaints. PepsiCo Inc. says it has been contemplating the change for over a year and that it was not prompted by a recent petition at Change.org. ABC News shared the details on Jan. 25.
The Gatorade ingredient in question, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), has come under scrutiny because it is also patented as a flame retardant. The ingredient is banned in the European Union as well as Japan. Gatorade isn't the only drink to use the “emulsifier,” as it can be found in Powerade as well. There is no word yet from Coca-Cola Co., who makes Powerade, whether they will be pulling the ingredient from their drink as well.
Not all flavors contain the Gatorade ingredient concerning customers. It is currently found in the orange and “citrus cooler” flavors. BVO can also be found in Fanta and Mountain Dew. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not banned brominated vegetable oil, and PepsiCo. says that their decision isn't a result of any safety or health concerns. Instead, it is being done because of customer feedback.
An Associated Press report notes that the Change.org petition has garnered over 200,000 supporters. It has not been specified exactly when the Gatorade ingredient will be replaced, but the company notes that an ingredient called sucrose acetate isobutyrate will be used going forward instead.
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