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HB 3167

FOOD-BAN BROMINATED OIL

104th Regular Session Introduced by Omar Williams

Illinois bill bans brominated vegetable oil as food additive, reinforcing federal FDA prohibition enacted in 2024.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 3167

Legislative bill overview

HB 3167 would ban the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) as a food additive in Illinois. BVO is an emulsifier previously used in citrus-flavored soft drinks and other beverages to keep oils and flavoring evenly distributed. The FDA prohibited BVO at the federal level in 2024, but this bill would codify a state-level ban.

Why is this important

BVO was removed from FDA approval due to safety concerns, including potential accumulation in body tissues and links to neurological effects in animal studies. By establishing a state ban, Illinois would prevent any potential loopholes if federal regulations were weakened or if manufacturers attempted to use it in products not covered by federal restrictions. This protects consumers and ensures food safety compliance aligns with current scientific evidence.

Potential points of contention

  • Redundancy concern: The federal FDA ban already prohibits BVO, making a state law potentially unnecessary and adding administrative burden
  • Enforcement questions: Unclear how Illinois would enforce this ban on products manufactured out-of-state versus products made within the state
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's definition of "food" and whether it covers all potential uses of BVO in food manufacturing remains to be detailed in committee discussions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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