PepsiCo replacing Gatorade ingredient found in fire retardants

[TruckDriver]

Wow...

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/01/28/pepsico-replacing-gatorade-ingredient-also-found-in-fire-retardants/

"PepsiCo Inc is removing a controversial chemical from its Gatorade drinks following concerns from consumers and an online petition by a Mississippi teenager.

Gatorade said the change was not a response to the petition, although the 15-year-old girl claimed victory.

The ingredient, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), is a chemical containing bromine, which is found in fire retardants. Small quantities of BVO are used legally in some citrus-flavored drinks in the United States to keep the flavor evenly distributed.

It was present in Gatorade Orange and Lemonade and other smaller flavors."

[hatersaurusrex]

I'm confused, they don't say whether BVO is actually bad for you, just that some teenage girl in MS thought it was gross.  Just because it's used as a fire retardant doesn't make it unhealthy.   Water is the most popular fire fighting chemical in the world and it's healthy as crap.

[kab69440]

I don't care what they used to flavor it, bring back the Lemon Ice flavor!!!!

[Old Moparz]

Must be good for you since the government says it's healthy & safe. Sounds yummy, too.  


http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/br.htm

Health effects of bromine

Bromine is corrosive to human tissue in a liquid state and its vapors irritate eyes and throat. Bromine vapors are very toxic with inhalation.

Humans can absorb organic bromines through the skin, with food and during breathing. Organic bromines are widely used as sprays to kill insects and other unwanted pests. But they are not only poisonous to the animals that they are used against, but also to larger animals. In many cases they are poisonous to humans, too.

The most important health effects that can be caused by bromine-containing organic contaminants are malfunctioning of the nervous system and disturbances in genetic materials. But organic bromines can also cause damage to organs such as liver, kidneys, lungs and milt and they can cause stomach and gastrointestinal malfunctioning. Some forms of organic bromines, such as ethylene bromine, can even cause cancer.

Inorganic bromines are found in nature, but whereas they occur naturally humans have added too much through the years. Through food and drinking water humans absorb high doses of inorganic bromines. These bromines can damage the nervous system and the thyroid gland.

[bull]

How am I supposed to put out the fires in my belly now?

[rick@laysons]

.....helps to cut down on the spontaneous human combustion

[Tilar]

How am I supposed to put out the fires in my belly now?

Same way I do, Baking soda and water.