Some of your favorite drinks could look or taste very different in 2025. As health concerns grow and food safety standards tighten, several popular beverages are being forced to drop ingredients flagged by new regulations. These aren’t minor tweaks—some changes may completely alter the flavor or feel of well-known brands.
This shift isn’t just about trends. It’s a response to increasing pressure from scientists, advocacy groups, and informed consumers who want more transparency and fewer risky additives. Here are 10 beverages facing ingredient bans in 2025 and what it means for what’s in your fridge.
Flavored Milks With BHA
Butylated Hydroxyanisole, or BHA, is an antioxidant sometimes used in beverages to prevent fats from becoming rancid. Concerns about its potential as an endocrine disruptor have led to its inclusion in various state-level discussions for bans. While not as widespread in beverages as in other food items, any flavored milk or dairy-based drink utilizing BHA would need to find a different antioxidant. This aligns with a broader push for cleaner ingredient labels for healthy consumption.
Popular Sodas With Red Dye No. 3
Several vibrant red and pink sodas that have long been staples at picnics and parties are facing a shake-up. Beverages containing Red Dye No. 3, an artificial colorant, are being considered for removal in some regions. The FDA issued an order on January 15, 2025, to revoke the use of Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs, citing its classification as “unsafe” due to links to cancer in laboratory animals. This means some of your favorite festive drinks might look a little different during future Christmas or Thanksgiving celebrations.
Citrus-Flavored Sodas With Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Brominated Vegetable Oil, or BVO, has been a long-standing emulsifier in some citrus-flavored sodas, preventing ingredients from separating. However, concerns about its potential health effects have led to bans. California’s AB 418, for instance, prohibits BVO in food products for human consumption starting January 1, 2027, with other states following suit.
The FDA also issued a final rule on July 3, 2024, to revoke the regulation that allowed BVO’s use in food after studies found potential adverse health effects in humans, including headaches and nervous system damage. This means manufacturers have been racing to find alternatives for these popular beverages.
Sports Drinks With Potassium Bromate
Potassium bromate, an oxidizing agent primarily used in baked goods to improve dough, has also been found in certain sports drinks as a dough conditioner. Its classification as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has prompted bans.
Utah’s new law (HB 402), effective May 7, 2025, prohibits schools from selling or serving food containing potassium bromate, alongside other additives. This signals a health wellness movement aiming for healthier hydration options for athletes.
Energy Drinks With Propylparaben
Propylparaben, a common preservative, has been used in some beverages to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life. However, it’s now facing bans in several regions due to emerging health concerns. California’s law bans propylparaben starting in 2027, and similar legislation has advanced in other states like Illinois. This means certain energy drinks or flavored water products might need to find alternative preservatives, impacting their formulation and potentially their shelf life.
White Coffee Creamers And Titanium Dioxide
That bright white appearance in some coffee creamers often comes from titanium dioxide, a common whitening agent. While largely considered safe in the past, some studies have linked it to potential DNA damage and inflammation. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) no longer considers it safe as a food additive. While the US hasn’t issued a full ban, the increasing scrutiny and state-level actions are pushing beverage companies towards alternatives for products like non-dairy creamers, impacting your morning breakfast routine.
Fruity Drinks With Artificial Colors (E.G., Red 40, Yellow 5)
A broad category of brightly colored fruity drinks, from powdered mixes to ready-to-drink options, often relies on artificial food dyes like Allura Red (Red 40) and Tartrazine (Yellow 5). Many states are enacting bans on these dyes, especially in school settings. West Virginia’s new law (HB 2354), effective August 1, 2025, prohibits food in schools from containing Red 40 and Yellow 5, among others. This growing intolerance for artificial colors means many popular children’s beverages will need to reformulate their recipes to maintain their vibrant appeal using natural colorants.
Certain Fruit Juices With High Fructose Corn Syrup
While not a full ban, there’s a strong push, often driven by consumer health awareness, to reduce or eliminate high-fructose corn syrup from fruit juices and other sweetened beverages. Brands are increasingly swapping it out for cane sugar or other natural sweeteners to appeal to a more health-conscious diet. While no federal ban exists specifically on HFCS, consumer pressure acts as a powerful motivator, leading to significant recipe changes across the industry. Studies have linked high-fructose corn syrup to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
Diet Sodas With Aspartame
Aspartame, one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners in diet sodas, has been under intense scrutiny for years. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” in July 2023. While not an outright ban in major markets like the US or EU, this classification has prompted some beverage companies to offer aspartame-free versions or explore alternative sweeteners, reflecting growing consumer interest in the health implications of artificial additives.
Nutritional Shakes With Sucralose
Sucralose, another popular artificial sweetener found in many nutritional shakes and diet beverages, is also facing increased scrutiny. While generally recognized as safe, recent research has raised questions about its potential impact on gut health and metabolism. Some brands are moving towards stevia or monk fruit as alternatives, anticipating future regulations or simply responding to consumer demand for more natural options in their health and wellness lifestyle.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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