Free Republic

After five decades of inaction, the Food and Drug Administration revoked the authorization of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food on July 3, 2024. The additive bromine, used to stabilize fruit flavorings in beverages and sodas, has toxic effects and has already been banned in many places, including California, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. What was the agency’s excuse for its 50 years in limbo? The FDA insisted it was “waiting for more safety data.” Right. Consumer advocates called the FDA’s ban on brominated vegetable oil in food “a victory for public health.” Still, digging deeper, it is indisputable...

For some women, the biggest decision of their lives may be whether to abort a pregnancy. The physical and mental ramifications of choosing abortion can cause a lifetime of pain, sorrow, and regret. To balance these perceived ills, the South Carolina legislature is considering a bill that would require women to view ultrasounds of their fetuses before making a final decision. One of the biggest opponents of the measure, Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-SC) told MSNBC, "It suggests that women don't know what they're doing, that they've arrived at this decision quite lightly, and nothing could be further from the truth.”...