Coca-Cola, Pepsi to remove controversial drink ingredient

Coca-Cola Co., the world’s largest beverage maker, plans to remove brominated vegetable oil from all its U.S. drinks by the end of this year, abandoning an ingredient that has been targeted by food activists, according to Bloomberg.

PepsiCo Inc. removed BVO from Gatorade last year and said it plans to remove the additive in the rest of its lineup.

According to the report, BVO is used as a stabilizer in drinks like Powerade, helping prevent ingredients from separating. However, health concerns stems from the use of bromide, an element found in brominated flame retardants.

Read more from Bloomberg.