Powerade drops controversial ingredient following similar move by Gatorade

NEW YORK, N.Y. – A controversial ingredient is being removed from some Powerade sports drinks, after the chemical was also taken out of rival Gatorade last year.

The ingredient, brominated vegetable oil, had been the target of a petition by a Mississippi teenager. The petition on Change.org noted that the ingredient is linked to a flame retardant and is not approved for use in Japan or the European Union.

In response to customer feedback, PepsiCo said last year it would drop the ingredient from Gatorade. Now, some bottles of Powerade being sold around the country are no longer list the ingredient.

Representatives for Coca-Cola, which makes Powerade, weren’t immediately available to provide details on the change.