HATTIESBURG, Miss. — If you are hot and grab Powerade to cool off, you should know one of its ingredients is being taken out. It is called brominated vegetable oil, which is linked to a flame retardant. Coca-Cola Co. said the ingredient was used to prevent ingredients from separating. Recent studies have shown that flame retardants may be linked to cancer, infertility, and other health problems.
PepsiCo removed that ingredient from Gatorade last year after a push to do so from Mississippi Teen, Sarah Kavanagh. She petitioned the company, pointing out the ingredient is not approved for use in the European Union or Japan.
Some Powerade bottles may still have the ingredient listed as Coca-Cola Co. continues to phase out the ingredient.
