FDA Seeks to Ban Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed to revoke the regulation authorizing the use of brominated vegetable oil in food. The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health found the potential for adverse health effects in humans.
BVO is a vegetable oil that is modified with bromine. It is authorized by the FDA for use in small amounts to keep the citrus flavoring from separating and floating to the top of some beverages. In 1970, the FDA determined BVO was no longer “Generally Recognized as Safe” and began overseeing its use under our food additive regulations. Over the years many beverage makers reformulated their products to replace BVO with an alternative ingredient, and today, few beverages in the United States contain BVO.
The FDA prioritizes its review of chemicals in food based on risk, science and regulatory authority. Although BVO has a long history of use in foods and was at one time considered GRAS, we have continued to study it to understand any potential health impacts. Recent toxicology studiesExternal Link Disclaimer conducted in collaboration with the NIH have now given us conclusive scientific evidence to support our proposal to remove the FDA’s food additive authorization for BVO.
The proposed action is an example of how the agency monitors emerging evidence and, as needed, conducts scientific research to investigate safety related questions, and takes regulatory action when the science does not support the continued safe use of additives in foods.
The FDA recognizes that California recently took steps to ban the use of four food ingredients, including BVO, in that state. The agency is continuously reviewing and reassessing the safety of a variety of chemicals in food to ensure the science and the law support their safe use in food, including all four ingredients that are part of the recent California law.
In fact, the FDA is reviewing the color additive regulations authorizing the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in ingested drugs and foods (including dietary supplements) under the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which, in relevant part, prohibits the FDA from approving a color additive that is ingested if it causes cancer in animals or humans when ingested. A decision from the FDA is forthcoming.
While these reviews take time, one of the key reasons for the proposed Human Foods Program transformation underway is to enhance our review of food chemical safety. The proposed HFP would include the creation of the Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements and Innovation where we intend to develop a faster and more nimble process for evaluating chemicals in the food supply.
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The Fresh Market, Feeding America Launch Holiday Round Up Campaign to Ease Food Insecurity
Everyone needs nutritious food to thrive, yet nearly 34 million people, including more than 9 million children, experience food insecurity in the United States. That’s 1 in 10 individuals and 1 in 8 children. That’s why The Fresh Market, a leading specialty fresh food retailer, is launching its annual holiday round up campaign in partnership with Feeding America. This initiative aims to make a positive impact by supporting people facing hunger during the holiday season.
From Nov. 1—Dec. 31, .guests shopping at all 161 The Fresh Market locations will have the opportunity to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar, with the total amount being donated to Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. One dollar helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local partner food banks. 100% of funds collected will go to the nonprofit, with 90% redistributed to local partner food banks and 10 percent to the Feeding America National Organization.
“The holiday round up campaign is part of The Fresh Market’s ongoing commitment to making a positive impact in the communities we do business,” said Jason Potter, president and CEO of The Fresh Market. “The holiday season is all about giving, and we want to make a difference. By simply rounding up their purchase, our guests can help support people in accessing the food everyone deserves and provide meals for those in need, making their holiday season a little brighter.”
Voted as the “Best Grocery Store in America” by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2023, 2022 and 2021, “America’s Best Customer Service 2021” by Newsweek and Statista and a top 5 most trusted grocery retail brand for specialty and natural/organic foods in the 2022 BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards, The Fresh Market helps guests discover the best with time-saving meal solutions, unique ingredients, and delicious food for any occasion.
From fresh produce and exceptional meat and seafood to signature baked goods and thousands of organic options, the specialty grocer has something to please every palate. The Fresh Market currently operates 161 stores in 22 states across the U.S., inspiring guests to discover new flavors and cook with confidence.
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. It supports tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs.
It also invests in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. It partners with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger.
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BJ’s Wholesale Club Continues Free Turkey Promotion
BJ’s Wholesale Club, a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs, will hold its annual free turkey promotion, helping members take advantage of incredible savings as they shop for their holiday essentials.
From Nov. 1 through Nov. 9, BJ’s members will be eligible to receive a digital coupon for a FREE fresh or frozen Butterball whole turkey when they spend $150 in the same transaction, in-club or online.
The free turkey coupon will appear in members digital coupon gallery beginning Nov. 11, and must be redeemed by Nov. 22, while supplies last. To qualify, members will need to create a digital account on BJs.com, so that they can clip their free turkey offer in their coupon gallery, either through the BJ’s mobile app or online at BJs.com.
“We are proud to continue our tradition of free Thanksgiving turkeys,” said David Rajkovich, Vice President, Food Merchandising, BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We always provide unbeatable value, and our free turkeys provide another way for families to save on their Thanksgiving celebrations.”
At BJ’s Wholesale Club, members will also find a wide assortment of fresh food, deli items, pantry essentials, delectable desserts, entertaining sets, homeware and so many more holiday must-haves, all in an easy one-stop shop:
- Wellsley Farms Sweet Potatoes, 3 lbs., available in-club and with curbside pickup, in-club pickup and same-day delivery
- Wellsley Farms Fresh Gourmet Carrots, 2 pk./1 lb., available in-club and with curbside pickup, in-club pickup and same-day delivery
- Wellsley Farms Signature Cheese Sampler, 32 oz., available in-club and with curbside pickup, in-club pickup and same-day delivery
- Wellsley Farms Seven Flavor Cheesecake Platter, 54 oz., available in-club and with curbside pickup, in-club pickup and same-day delivery
- Wellsley Farms Homestyle 9” Apple Pie, 3 lbs., available in-club and with curbside pickup, in-club pickup and same-day delivery
- Berkley Jensen 16 pc. Drinkware Set, available in-club and with curbside pickup, in-club pickup and same-day delivery
- Berkley Jensen 16 pc. Round Glass Food Storage Set with Airtight Locking Lids, available in-club and with curbside pickup, in-club pickup and same-day delivery
BJ’s members can shop how they want by choosing from a variety of convenient shopping options such as in-club shopping, curbside pickup, in-club pickup, same-day delivery, ExpressPay, and standard delivery from BJs.com. While checking off everything on their holiday checklists, members can also take advantage of BJ’s additional services like Same-Day Select and Buy Now, Pay Later payment options.
BJ’s Wholesale Club will be closed Thanksgiving Day but will re-open its doors, chainwide on Friday, November 24 at 7:00 a.m. so that members can take advantage of the club’s unbeatable holiday savings.
BJ’s Wholesale Club Holiday Hours:
- Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23: Closed
- Black Friday, Nov. 24: 7 a.m. open
- Sunday, Dec. 24: 8 a.m. open
- Monday, Dec. 25: Closed
- Sunday, Dec. 31: 8 a.m. open
- Monday, Jan. 1: 9 a.m. open
Additionally, some clubs will have extended closing hours prior to Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season to allow members extra time to complete their shopping trips. Check with your local club or visit BJs.com/locations for more details.
To learn more about BJ’s Free Turkey Promo, visit BJs.com/FreeTurkey.
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