BHA And BHT And Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) are synthetic antioxidants. Citric acid is a natural organic acid found in citrus fruits, often produced commercially through fermentation of sugars. When used together, they help prevent fats and oils from spoiling.

These ingredients are added to foods primarily as antioxidants to protect fats and oils from going bad (rancidity), which helps maintain the product's flavor and freshness. Citric acid also acts as an acidulant and flavor enhancer. They are commonly found in products like pizza, savory bakery items, and frozen savory pastries.

BHA and BHT are approved food additives by the FDA. JECFA has evaluated both BHA and BHT and set acceptable daily intakes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies BHA as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on studies in animals; however, the FDA states that these findings are not relevant to human risk at typical intake levels. Citric acid is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA, and JECFA did not set a numeric acceptable daily intake for it. All three are generally considered safe for consumption at levels typically found in food.